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 . Air Date TBC
CHANNEL 4 . United Kingdom . Streaming Oct 2025 - Oct 2026
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS 2025
Anima, Belgium
1st March @ 21:00
Tampere Itnl FF, Finland
6th March @ 20:15
8th March @ 10:00
Kaboom, Netherlands
22nd March @ 19:45
BFI Flare, UK
23rd March @ 10:45
26th March @ 20:00
BFI Flare (Best of Fest)
30th March @ 17:00
AmDocs FF, USA
28th March @ 21:00
Athens Itnl FVF, USA
11th April @ 17:00
RiverRun Itnl FF, USA
12th April @ 13:00
18th April @ 2000
OUTshine FF, USA
20th April @ 17:00
OUTshine FF (Best of Fest)
26th April @ 17:15
Inside Out FF, Toronto
24th May @ 12:30
Seattle Itnl FF, USA
24th May @ 16:00
KASHISH Pride FF, India
4th-8th June, TBC.
Zebra Poetry FF, Germany
7th June @ 19:30
deadCenter FF, USA
12th June @ 17:00
15th June @ 12:30
Frameline LGBTQ+ FF, USA
21st June @ 11:00
Rio LGBTQIA+ Itnl FF, Brazil
3rd July - 9th July, TBC
Guanajuato Int'l FF, Mexico
26th July @ TBC
30th July @ TBC
2nd Aug @ TBC
Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Tech, USA.
07th Aug @ 18:00
Rhode Island Int'l FF, USA
05th Aug - 10th Aug
HollyShorts FF, USA
08th Aug @ 12:00
OutSouth Queer FF, USA
15th August @ 17:00
16th August @ 15:00
18th August @ 19:20
Queer FF Utrecht
31st August @ 18:00
Big Fridge Int'l FF, UK
06th Sept @ 17:30
Long Beach QFF, USA
07th Sept @ 11:00
Twisted Arts FF, USA
13th Sept @ 15:30
Vancouver Queer FF, Canada
21st Sept @ 20:30
Calgary Int'l FF, Canada
24th Sept @ 18:30
Animasyros Int'l FF, Greece
22nd Sept @ 20:15
Encounters FF, UK
25th Sept @ 12:30
25th Sept @ 14:30
Atlanta LGBTQ+ FF, USA
30th Sept @ 17:00
Edmonton Int'l, FF, Canada
04th Oct @ 12:00
Bolton Int'l FF, UK
1st Oct @ 12:30
1st Oct @ 17:30
2nd Oct @ 16:20
5th Oct @ 11:00
Ealing FF, UK
04th Oct @ 19:30
Hollywood Queer FF, USA
5th Oct @ 19:00
British Urban FF, UK
10th Oct - 23rd Oct
Out Here Dayton FF, USA
11th Oct @ 15:00
New York LGBTQ+ FF, USA
15th Oct @ 19:30
Thessaloniki Animation Festival, Greece
16th Oct - 19th Oct
Iris Prize LGBTQ+ FF, UK
17th Oct @ 17:00
18th Oct @ 11:00
Way OUT West, USA
19th Oct @ 12:30
London Breeze FF, UK
24th Oct @ 12:00
Pride Pictures FF, Germany
18th - 26th Oct
MIX Copenhagen LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
30th Oct @ 19:30
1st Nov @ 14:00
Scottish Queer FF, UK
01st Nov @ 13:00
Norwich Film Festival
03rd - 16th Nov
Interfilm Short FF, Germany
05th Nov @ 21:30
07th Nov @ 13:00
08th Nov @ 19:30
09th Nov @ 18:00
Aesthetica Short FF, UK
05th - 09th Nov
Manchester Animation FF
10th Nov @ 11:15
11th Nov @ 20:20
13th Nov @ 10:30
Cinanima Int'l FF, Portugal
14th Nov @ 19:30
London Int'l Animation FF
28th Nov - 7th Dec
PLEASE NOTE: NEW DATES WILL BE ADDED ON A ROLLING BASIS SO PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK
Already Seen TBBIP ?
Review on
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
