Two Black Boys in Paradise – A Stop Motion Poem of Love and Identity
Two Black Boys in Paradise, directed by Baz Sells and produced by One6th Animation, has been making waves across the international film festival circuit with its poetic storytelling and striking stop-motion visuals. The nine-minute short film, based on a poem by Dean Atta, explores love, identity, and belonging through the delicate craft of handcrafted animation.
The film follows two young Black men, Edan and Dula, as they journey through a dreamlike world in search of acceptance — from each other and from themselves. Set against an imagined “paradise,” the story unfolds as a meditation on queer love, cultural stigma, and freedom of self-expression. The film captures moments of intimacy and reflection, blending emotional vulnerability with the tactile artistry of stop-motion filmmaking.
Narrated by Jordan Stephens, with a voice performance by Arun Blair-Mangat, the short creates an immersive atmosphere that bridges the physical and the poetic. Each frame reflects a careful interplay between texture and light — the water glimmers with life, the handcrafted landscapes evoke both beauty and solitude, and the puppets’ subtle performances bring a powerful emotional presence to the screen.
Produced with support from the BFI Short Form Animation Fund, Two Black Boys in Paradise was brought to life by the UK-based studio One6th Animation, known for their innovative and expressive use of miniature worlds. The film premiered in 2025 and has since screened at over a dozen international festivals, including Frameline49 and the Seattle International Film Festival, and recently took home Best Short Animation at the Woodstock Film Festival, earning Oscar-qualifying status.
This short film stands out not only for its visual craftsmanship but for the depth of its message. By bringing Dean Atta’s words to life in a tangible, stop-motion form, Baz Sells and his team have created a work that celebrates the resilience of love — especially love that must carve out its own paradise.
Two Black Boys in Paradise made its UK television debut on Channel 4 in October 2025, marking another milestone in the growing visibility of queer and racially diverse storytelling in animation. The film is a testament to the evolving landscape of stop-motion — one that continues to embrace personal, poetic, and socially resonant stories through handcrafted artistry.
