Ealing author wins BAFTA for animated short film Two Black Boys in Paradise

Two Black Boys in Paradise; The British Film Institute / One6th Limited

Dean Atta wins award for film based on one of his poems

Dean Atta, a multi-award-winning poet and author from Ealing, has won a BAFTA award for his animated short film Two Black Boys in Paradise (2025), based on one of his poems.

He told The Chiswick Calendar:

“This morning, I feel totally overwhelmed. I’ve received more messages today than I’ve probably received on all my birthdays combined”.

It is about Eden (19) and Dula (18), 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’.

The film is narrated by Jordan Stephens of Rizzle Kicks, directed by Baz Sells and produced by One6th Animation Studio. It was supported by the BFI Short Form Animation Fund, with backing from Ian McKellen and Partizan Films.

Two Black Boys in Paradise; The British Film Institute / One6th Limited

Dean told me:

“Despite feeling overwhelmed, I feel totally ready for this recognition and the opportunities it will bring for me to tell more Black queer stories due to this BAFTA win. I’ve been assured that this will open many doors, and I want to keep those doors open for more black queer storytellers to come through with me and after me.

“In the immediate future, I hope this means more people will seek and watch Two Black Boys in Paradise while it’s streaming on Channel 4. It’s surprisingly hard to get people to make time to watch a short film, but now that it’s a BAFTA award-winning film, I hope the BAFTA nod motivates people to spare nine minutes to watch it. I can promise them they won’t regret it.”

Two Black Boys in Paradise is not the first of his poems to have been made into a film. His poem I Come From was also adapted into a film by Afshan d’Souza-Lodh.

Collecting the award on stage last night, Dean said:

“As a Black gay man, I rarely get to see myself onscreen in something that isn’t a tragedy, so thank you to our director Baz Sells and our producer Ben Jackson for leading a team of over 100 people for five years to bring my poem to life as a beautiful nine-minute stop-motion animation.”

Two Black Boys in Paradise; The British Film Institute / One6th Limited

Writing on identity and social justice for readers of all ages

Dean is of Greek Cypriot and Jamaican descent who went to school at Twyford Church of England High School in Acton, and now writes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction for all ages. His poetry often deals with questions of identity and social justice.

He is the author of seven books. His 2019 verse novel The Black Flamingo, published by Hachette UK, won a Stonewall Book Award in 2020 in the Children’s and Young Adults category and was nominated for The Caterpillar poetry prize, run by the art and literature magazine for children aged seven to eleven.

His work has been commissioned by museums and galleries including the Keats House Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern and has been featured on the BBC. He has also appeared at the Queer Minds Festival.

Dean Atta (L) Presenting his memoir Person Unlimited at the Local Authors night; (R) Performing at the Chiswick Book Festival, resenting the prizes at the Children’s Poetry competition 

Dean will be appearing at the Chiswick Book Festival Children’s festival on Saturday 7 March

Dean has given several performances of his work locally. As a local resident he took part in the Chiswick Book Festival’s Local Authors night last year, promoting his memoir Person Unlimited: An Ode to My Black Queer Body, which deals with intensely personal themes such as depression and suicide.

He also presented the prizes for the Children’s Poetry Competition at last year’s festival.

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He will be talking about his latest children’s book for young readers, Auntie’s Bangles, at the Chiswick Book Festival one-day Children’s event in March.

 Auntie’s Bangles; Dean Atta

Latest children’s book – Auntie’s Bangles

Auntie’s Bangles is a heartfelt story about love, loss and the joy a person leaves behind, illustrated by the award-winning Alea Marley.

‘Auntie’s bangles used to jingle-jangle as she laughed, read and made delicious dishes, and especially as she danced. But everyone is so sad since Auntie died. It feels . . . quiet.

‘Slowly, Theo and his cousin, Rama, learn to celebrate their memories of Auntie, even after she’s gone. This gentle and sensitive exploration of grief will open up important conversations and help little ones find their own way to remember and celebrate someone they’ve lost’.

Dean’s website

Book tickets for the Chiswick Book Festival Children’s festival – Saturday 7 March

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