– The animated short film, ‘Two Black Boys in Paradise’, based on a poem by Dean Atta, will premiere in the Bay Area.
– The film is narrated by UK artist Jordan Stephens.
– The premiere will be at the BAFTA-qualifying Frameline: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, known as the world’s biggest and longest-running of its kind.
– The news was announced via Skwigly Animation Magazine.
Two Black Boys in Paradise Takes a Bow in the Bay City
A Poetic Animation Debuts at the Prestigious Frameline
Now for the hot take, because we ain’t just about key points, no sir. This isn’t your Grandma’s bedtime story. Buckle up, cause we’re diving wholeheartedly into a world of poetry, narration, and animation…oh my!
Animated Journey Into Paradise
So this poetic, animated short, ‘Two Black Boys in Paradise’, written by Dean “I Put Words Together Beautifully” Atta, spiced up with the comforting narrative voice of Jordan “Jack of all Trades” Stephens, is set to light up the big screens via one of the grandest stages on the planet, none other than the BAFTA-qualified Frameline. Now, isn’t that a sizzling piece of news!
A poem turned film? You betcha! Makes you curious how words on a page become moving pixels, huh? Either way, hats off to these creatives for making poetry not only hearable, but now also watchable. This just goes a mile to show animation isn’t only about talking animals and their shenanigans but also serves as a powerful tool to visualize and celebrate diversity, culture, and above all, LOVE!
So grab your popcorn, soda… and maybe a dictionary. This is shaping up to be the kind of chic, heart-tugging spectacle that’d leave you weeping one moment and laughing the next. Don’t you dare miss it, because things are about to get animatedly poetic!
A Journey of Self-Acceptance and Love: Two Black Boys in Paradise– An intriguing animated short film, inspired by the phenomenal poem of the acclaimed writer Dean Atta (The Black Flamingo). Narrated by the versatile UK artist, Jordan Stephens, this film is all set to make its Bay Area premiere at the prestigious Frameline: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival. This festival, the biggest and oldest running LGBTQ+ film festival worldwide, is scheduled to happen in San Francisco this June.
Image Credits: One6th Animation Studio
The 1 x 9’ stop-motion animated short film directed and written by Baz Sells along with Dean Atta and Ben Jackson, is a production of Manchester’s One6th Animation Studio. It has been backed by BFI Short Form Animation Fund (offering National Lottery funding) with the initial support of renowned actor Ian McKellen and Partizan Films.
The film has been widely praised by notable personalities from the entertainment indsutry including Billy Porter:
The film is so powerful, it brought me to tears. Finally, someone really sees us! Thanks.
Joanna Lumley:
It is a unique, creative and deeply touching film. I absolutely loved it!
and Omari Douglas:
The film moved me considerably; it is filled with truth, hope, and beauty.
Following its world premiere at the Anima festival in Brussels and its UK Premiere at BFI Flare in London, the film continues its stunning festival run by participating at Frameline. So far, the film has announced its selection in 15 festivals including five BAFTA-qualifying and eight Academy Award qualifying festivals worldwide. It will be screened on May 24th at the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).
Ben Jackson expressed:
Being part of the world’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ film festival, one that has helped shape queer culture and cinema, is beyond my wildest dreams. Following the footsteps of filmmakers who have revolutionized how queer lives are viewed and celebrated on screen is deeply humbling.
Director Baz Sells, who will be attending SIFF added:
Screening our film at SIFF, known not only for its prestige but also because of its inclusiveness and bold values which closely resonate with TBBIP’s production, fills me with immense pride. We made this film to lend a voice to the important conversations invoked by Dean Atta’s poem. We are incredibly grateful to SIFF for providing us this opportunity to connect with an audience in Seattle.
Dean Atta shared:
Seeing people deeply resonate with the story and sharing how it touched them- is an enormous reward to me. The overwhelming love we received both at Anima and BFI Flare has been humbling.
Image Credits: One6th Animation Studio
The animated film Two Black Boys in Paradise beautifully portrays the journey of self-acceptance of Eden (19) and Dula (18) – two black boys, whose love for each other and refusal to hide it takes them into a paradise free from judgment and shame. This film, based on Atta’s acclaimed poetry collection There is (still) Love Here, earnestly explores themes of homophobia and racism. It presents the real-life struggles of identity, sexuality and belonging. The film features non-verbal sounds by Actor Arun Blair-Mangat (Kinky Boots, In the Heights) along with Stephens’ narration.
Recently, the film earned Best Short Jury Honorable Mention at Florida’s OUTshine. Other upcoming screenings in North America include the Oscar-qualifying deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma scheduled for June 12th and 15th, and the renowned Inside Out Toronto on May 24th.
Two Black Boys in Paradise was produced with the support of the BFI Short Form Animation fund, awarding National Lottery funding. This nationwide initiative provides ambitious animation filmmakers access to a higher level of funding, which is rarely accessible to short-form productions.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/two-black-boys-in-paradise-frameline/