‘Two Black Boys in Paradise’ signs distribution deal
Skwigly
Two Black Boys in Paradise, the beautifully crafted animated short film based on a poem by award-winning writer Dean Atta (The Black Flamingo) and narrated by UK musician, actor and writer Jordan Stephens, has been shortlisted for the prestigious IRIS PRIZE and will make its UK broadcast debut on Film4 later this year, followed by 12 months streaming on Channel 4 On Demand.
Directed by Baz Sells and written by Baz Sells, Dean Atta and Ben Jackson, the 1 x 9’ stop motion animated short is produced by Manchester’s One6th Animation Studio, and was supported by the BFI Short Form Animation Fund awarding National Lottery funding, with early development support of actor Ian McKellen.
Otherwise known as the “LGBTQ+ Oscars”, the IRIS PRIZE is dedicated to showcasing and promoting LGBTQ+ stories, aiming to expand their reach and impact. Their mission is to celebrate global LGBTQ+ stories, uniting filmmakers and audiences to champion diversity and challenge discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
Responding to the news, One6th Animation Studio said:
This prestigious recognition from the Iris team has quite simply left us in awe. From the moment we began this collaboration with Dean Atta, we have quietly hoped that the work we were creating together would resonate with the communities our film represents. What we could never anticipate is that the response would be as remarkable as it has been or to be given the opportunity to share TBBIP on an iconic British platform such as Channel 4.
The Manchester based studio has recently concluded a deal with Kurzfilm Agentur Hamburg (KFA) who have acquired the worldwide sales and distribution rights for the film.
With Two Black Boys in Paradise, it was love at first sight. We are delighted and honoured that the brilliant team of One6th entrusted us with bringing their exceptionally beautiful animation of Dean Atta’s powerful poem to audiences around the globe. Two Black Boys in Paradise finds clear images for the discrimination against queer black people, and it invites us to imagine a world in which love is stronger than ignorance and hatred. Two Black Boys in Paradise is the film our world dearly needs.
-Kurzfilm Agentur Hamburg
Two Black Boys in Paradise (One6th Animation Studio)
KFA’s acquisition follows on from the film’s strong presence on the festival circuit which to date includes 13 Oscar qualifying and 10 BAFTA qualifying film festivals, including some of the worlds biggest and most prestigious LGBTQ+ festivals in addition to endorsements from well known figures from within the film and television world:
Extremely original, wonderfully imaginative and heartfelt. I loved it.
– Joanna Lumley
From the first frame the tears came. Hours later I still weep. Finally, somebody sees me. Sees US! Thank you.
-Billy Porter
I was so moved by this film – there is so much truth, hope and beauty in it.
-Omari Douglas
Two Black Boys in Paradise will be broadcast alongside all other IRIS PRIZE “Best of British” shortlisted films on Film4 in late October 2025 followed shortly after by 12 months streaming on Channel 4 on demand.
Two Black Boys in Paradise was made with the support of the BFI Short Form Animation fund, awarding National Lottery funding. A nationwide initiative, the competitive fund offers ambitious animation filmmakers the chance to access a higher level of funding, which is rarely accessible to short-form productions.