BEST ANIMATION
TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE directed by Baz Sells
Jurors:
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Lizzi Akana (Kesha, Your Love Is My Drug music video, Sharon Jones Retreat! music video)
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Jessica Milazzo (The Principles of Pleasure)
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Joy Buran and Noelle Melody (Human Kind Of)
Jury Statement:
It is with great pride that we have chosen Two Black Boys In Paradise by Baz Sells, co-written by Dean Atta and Ben Jackson, as our official selection for Best Animated Short. Interweaving moments of idyllic intimacy with harrowing experiences of social injustice, the film powerfully illuminates the stigmas queer Black men continue to confront today. The sharp contrast between these two worlds is devastating: what begins as the tender caress of a lover’s hand transforms into the violating touch of a policeman’s unwarranted frisk. Yet within this heartbreaking reality, the film also offers a vision of hope, a paradise where love exists free of judgment or scrutiny, and where intimacy can flourish without fear. With its emotional honesty, nuanced storytelling, and unforgettable imagery, Two Black Boys In Paradise is both a searing critique and a moving celebration of love, making it a profoundly deserving choice for this honor.