Manchester-produced queer film wins BAFTA award

An animated film produced in Manchester has won a BAFTA.

Two Black Boys in Paradise, which was filmed in the Cheetham Hill area, was awarded the 2026 BAFTA Film Award for British Short Animation.

Filmmakers Ben Jackson, Baz Sells and Dean Atta were presented with the BAFTA for the nine-minute film - based on a poem by award-winning writer Dean Atta - at the awards ceremony in London last Sunday.

Producer Jackson said winning the award was "absolutely everything beyond [his] wildest dreams". "So many people gave so much to it over five years," he said. "So for everyone involved, I'm just really proud and really happy."

Two Black Boys in Paradise was produced by Manchester-based One6th Animation - a production company founded by Jackson and Sells in 2018.

Described by Jackson as a "genuine passion project" for both him and director Sells - the film took five years to complete and has won 22 international awards since its release in November 2025.

The stop-motion short follows Edan, 19, and Dula, 18, - two young black boys on a journey toward self-acceptance.

Inspired by Atta's poem, There is (still) Love Here, the film explores the themes of race, sexuality, and identity - and tackles homophobia and racism through a tender, hopeful lens.

The plot follows the teens' love for each other and their refusal to conceal it, following their journey to a "paradise free from shame and judgement", as described by One6th Animation.

Speaking of their win, poet and co-writer Dean Atta said he feels "incredibly proud of the whole team".

He added: "I'm glad we could bring so many people with us today to celebrate this journey, which has been the ride of a lifetime and I'm really grateful to Baz and Ben for taking me on this journey with them."

Film director Sells said: "The recognition is incredibly welcome because so many people worked so hard.

"There were a lot of tough challenges that were only overcome because we had such an extraordinary crew.

"I'm so proud of Ben and Dean for bringing their stories to the screen and allowing us collectively to share it with the world."

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