Tummy Monster

A darkly comic, surreal tragedy chronicling 24 hours of escalating chaos during an encounter between a sadistic international popstar and a narcissistic Scottish tattoo artist

Year: 2024

Director: Ciaran Lyons 

Writer: Ciaran Lyons 

Producer: Beth Allan, Josefin Bagge 

Production Company: Forest of Black 

Main Cast: Lorn Macdonald, Orlando Norman, Michael Akinsulire 

Screen Scotland support: Brought to audiences with the help of Screen Scotland’s Distribution Fund


Synopsis

When a narcissistic Scottish tattoo artist tries to get a selfie with an international popstar who shows up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, his refusal to take no for an answer embroils him in a bizarre game of chicken that threatens to destroy his life... 

Still from Tummy Monster showing a man lying on a tattoo's chair while another man leans towards him


More information

Filming locations: Shot over just 5 days, the whirlwind, low-budget, performance-led production was shot on location in Glasgow’s east end. 

Premiere: Tummy Monster had its World Premiere at Glasgow Film Festival 2024.  

Festival screenings: Tummy Monster has screened at international festivals including Austin Film Festival, Leiden International Film Festival, and Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. 

Theatrical release: The film will be screening across the UK with Q&As in May, June and July 2025. 

Image credits: Stills courtesy of Forest of Black.