Strange Beast Signs Director-Producer Duo Baz&Ben

Strange Beast, a Passion Pictures company, has signed Manchester-based director and producer duo Baz&Ben for worldwide representation.

Baz&Ben are the founders of One6th Studio, an independent animation house known for pairing hands-on creativity with a commitment to thoughtful, cinematic storytelling. The duo has earned a reputation for producing original, high-impact stop-motion films that achieve a world-class finish.

By uniting top-tier local talent in Manchester, they deliver animation that makes authentic connections with global audiences.

Their latest work, Two Black Boys in Paradise, a collaboration with poet Dean Atta, is currently streaming on Channel 4 in the UK. The nine-minute stop-motion short has garnered over 20 international awards, including nominations from BIFA and the London Critics Circle. It currently sits on the 2026 BAFTA longlist for British Short Animation.

Baz&Ben say, “We’re beyond chuffed to be joining the Strange Beast family who share our passion for daring animated storytelling and design. We’re big admirers of the ethos and leadership set by Zoe and Kitty which aligns with the way we like to work at One6th. It’s an exciting time for our studio, and the perfect moment to be joining forces with new and outstanding commercial representation as we pursue our best work yet.”

​Zoe Muslim, Strange Beast executive producer, says,  “We’ve been following the journey of One6th for some time; Baz&Ben’s work has a rare combo of cinematic weight and hand-crafted heart that really makes you feel something. We’re so aligned in our ambition to make meaningful projects with authentic storytelling, we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Strange Beast fold.”