Tummy Monster

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Tummy Monster
Directed byCiaran Lyons
Screenplay byCiaran Lyons
Lorn Macdonald
Orlando Norman
Produced by
  • Beth Allan
Starring
  • Lorn Macdonald
  • Orlando Norman
  • Michael Akinsulire
CinematographyDavid Liddell
Production
company
Forest of Black
Release date
  • 2024 (2024)
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Tummy Monster is a 2024 British black comedy psychological horror film directed by Ciaran Lyons and starring Michael Akinsulire, Lorn Macdonald and Orlando Norman. It was nominated for Best Film at the 2025 British Academy Scotland Awards.

Contents

Premise

A Glaswegian tattoo artists gets involved in a battle of wills with an American pop star, and his minder, who declined a selfie after visiting his tattoo parlour in the middle of the night. [1]

Cast

Production

The film is the feature length debut of writer-director Ciaran Lyons and is starring Michael Akinsulire, Lorn Macdonald, Orlando Norman, with Macdonald and Norman also credited with collaborating on the script. [2]

Produced by Beth Allan from Scottish company Forest of Black, Principal photography took place over five days in Glasgow with director of photography David Liddell. [3]

Release

The film premiered at the 2024 Glasgow Film Festival in February 2024. [4] It was later also shown at international festivals such as the Austin Film Festival and the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. [3] It was later shown on a British tour of independent cinemas in 2025. [5]

Reception

The film was nominated for Best Film at the 2025 British Academy Scotland Awards. [6]

References

  1. Dunn, Jamie (February 26, 2024). "Ciaran Lyons and Lorn Macdonald on Tummy Monster". The Skinny.
  2. Arnot, Garry (February 21, 2024). "Film review: Tummy Monster". Cinema Perspective. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "This film features a Bridgeton star and was shot in Glasgow's East End". Glasgow Times. April 26, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  4. Smillie, Liam (February 23, 2024). "Watch: We spoke with the director and lead actor of Tummy Monster, a new Glaswegian film making its world premiere at Glasgow Film Festival". Glasgow World. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  5. Hepburn, David (April 25, 2025). "Scottish Film: Watch Glasgow-based director Ciaran Lyons talk about microbudget film Tummy Monster - set to be released in cinemas in May". The Scotsman. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  6. "BAFTA Scotland Awards". Bafta.org. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.