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.