
Two Black Boys In Paradise
Two Black Boys In Paradise
TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE
Based on the poem by Dean Atta and Narrated by Jordan Stephens (Tucked, Rouge One) - Eden (19) and Dula (18) are two Black boys on a journey of self-acceptance. Their love for each other, and their refusal to hide it, lands them in a paradise free from shame and judgement.
"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
WORLDWIDE SALES & DISTRIBUTION
Kurzfilm Agentur Hamburg
SALES
+49 40 39 10 63-19/28 . sales@shortfilm.com
DISTRIBUTION
+49 40 39 10 63 18 . verleih@shortfilm.com
For festival and screening enquiries please contact studio@one6th.com
BROADCAST & STREAMING
FILM 4 . United Kingdom . Broadcast Date TBC
CHANNEL 4 . United Kingdom . Streaming Now
MOVIESTAR+ . Spain . Broadcast - May 2nd '26 + Streaming
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS 2025
Anima Festival, Brussels
Tampere Film Festival, Finland
Kaboom Festival, Netherlands
BFI Flare, UK
AMDOCS Film Festival, USA
RiverRun Film Festival, USA
Athens International Film and Video Festival, USA
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, USA
Seattle International Film Festival, USA
Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+, Toronto
Kashish Pride Festival, Mumbai
Zebra Poetry Film Festival, Berlin
deadCenter film festival , Oklahoma
Frameline, San Francisco
Rio LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
Guanajuato International Film Festival, Mexico
Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology, USA
HollyShorts, LA
OUT South, North Carolina
British Urban Film Festival, UK
Bolton International Film Festival,UK
Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival, USA
Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, UK
Pride Pictures Queer Film Fest Karlsruhe, Germany
Edmonton International Film Festival, Canada
Cinanima, Espinho, Portugal
Queer Film Festival, Utrecht
Long Beach QFilm Festival, USA
ANIMASYROS, Greece
Encounters, UK
Ealing Film Festival, London, UK
Vancouver Queer Film Fest, Canada
Twisted Arts, Oklahoma, USA
Atlanta Out on Film, USA
Calgary Int'l Film Festival, Canada
Big FridgeFilm Festival, UK
Aesthetica, UK
NewFest NYC, USA
Scottish Queer Int'l Film Festival
London Breeze Film Festival, UK
Woodstock Film Festival, NY, USA
Interfilm Kurzfestival, Berlin
MIX CPH - Denmark
QueerFilmFest Rostock, Germany
PinkPanorama, Luzern, Switzerland
OUT HERE Dayton, Ohio, USA
Manchester Animation Festival, UK
Queer Film Festival Bremen & Bremerhaven, Germany
Norwich Film Festival, UK
London Int'l Animation Film Festival
Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival, USA
Thessaloniki Animation Festival, Greece
Pink Screens, Brussels
Bitbang, Argentina
Way OUT West, New Mexico
Montecatini International Short Film Festival
Foyle Film Festival, Derry
International Film Gala, London
Indianapolis LGBT Film
Hollyshorts, London
Queer Film Festival,Oldenburg
Queer Filmfest Weiterstadt, Germany
MarylandFilm Festival, USA
Mezipatra Queer Film Festival, Czech Republic
UK Film Festival, London
Yellowstone International Film Festival, Mumbai
Leuven International Short Film Festival
Novella Film Festival, UK
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS 2026
Thomas Edison Film Festival, USA
Touring throughout 2026
British Shorts, Berlin
Jan 21st @10PM 2026
Pan African Film & Arts Fest, USA
Feb 9th - 16th 2026
Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Fest
Feb 12th - 26th
London Director Awards
20th Feb 2026
Roze Filmdagen; Amsterdam
March 18th - 29th 2026
Sonoma International Film Festival 25th - 29th March
Milwaukee Film Festival
April 16 - April 30
Stop e-Motion Days, Venice
April 15th - 19th 2026
Cardiff Animation Festival
April 23rd - 26th 2026
Brighton Animation Festival
April 24th - 26th 2026
Melbourne Animation Fest
17th - 24th May
PLEASE NOTE: NEW DATES WILL BE ADDED ON A ROLLING BASIS SO PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK

PRESS
In 2020, Development on TBBIP began as an unfunded grass roots project. With Dean Atta's support, we set out to write a story based around his poem, inspired by Black and Queer lived experiences. After 12 months, our pitch deck had attracted Jordan Stephens to the project, in addition to development support from Ian McKellen. In June 2021, the project was green lit as part of the BFI's short form animation fund.
In March 2025, TBBIP had its World Premiere at a sold out 850 capacity LGBTQ+ screening at the prestigious Anima festival, Brussels. Soon after, it had its UK Premiere at BFI Flare where it was selected as part of the "Best of Fest". The film will now travel the international film festival circuit until its online release sometime in 2026.
TBBIP is an unapologetic celebration of Black and Queer pride. It was made with the support of an outstanding crew, many of whom belong to the communities our story represents. Join us as we go behind the scenes to spotlight some of those people and celebrate their collective creativity.
This page will continue to be updated as we sift through and curate our BTS Material.




















Arun Blair-Mangat
Dula & Edan Nonverbal Sounds

"Real Black Boys
FEEL"
Jordan Stephens Voice Over session

Preview: Recording the TBBIP Score



































