Halloween Night: The Serpent’s Skin
Join us for a ghoulishly good night of queer horror at SQIFF’s Halloween screening! This chilling double bill sinks its teeth into the monstrous and the sensual, the grotesque and the beautiful.
First up is ¡Beso de lengua! by José Luiz Zorrero, a surreal and seductive descent into a world where desire takes monstrous form. Then, The Serpent’s Skin by Alice Maio Mackay slithers into darker territory, weaving a tale of trans identity, vengeance, and the supernatural, with all the blood-soaked camp you’d expect from a Mackay horror.
Both films push the boundaries of body, gender, and genre, creating a perfect night of queer frights and delights. The fabulous Jaye Hudson from TGirlsOnFilm will introduce the films and host a Best Halloween Costume Competition! Come dressed to impress for a chance to win a pint of SQIFF and Closet Brewing’s Director’s Cut. Let’s celebrate Halloween the queerest way we know how!
Curated by Indigo Korres.
Tickets are on a pay what you can sliding scale of FREE, £4, £8, £12, £16, or £20, in order to make SQIFF more accessible to those on a low income. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof/ID. We just ask that you are honest! Please find the ‘What Should I Pay?’ guidance here. To book your ticket for this event, click here.
Accessibility
This programme has:
- English, Spanish audio with English language Descriptive Subtitles
- English-BSL interpretation for introduction and costume competition
- Live Captioning for introduction and costume competition
This screening is 98 minutes long and has an age recommendation of N/C 18+.
You can find out more information about accessibility at SQIFF 2025 here. If you have any questions about accessibility at SQIFF 2025, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or by phone on 07873 331 036.
Films in this programme include:
¡Beso de lengua!, Dir. José Luis Zorrero, 2024, Mexico, 15 min
Itzcóatl and Moisés are on their first date. After a couple of hours of getting to know each other, they both “play” a very unusual and riveting game that strengthens their romantic chemistry.
Content notes: Depiction of blood, hospitalisation, wounds.
The Serpent’s Skin, Dir. Alice Maio Mackay, 2025, Australia, 83 min
Two young women form a romantic bond after discovering they have supernatural powers. Their insecurities unknowingly release a demon, which possesses one of their exes and begins feeding on their friends. As the bodies pile up, it becomes up to the women to face their pasts and stop the growing evil.
Content notes: Depiction of alcohol use, blood, cigarette use, death, drug use, gore, self-harm, sex.
Access notes: Flashing imagery, flashing lights.
Donate:
Donate to SQIFF via PayPal or sign up to one of our four Patreon tiers to support our work and show us you’re a big SQIFF fan 🌈✨
Supported by Screen Scotland, the BFI Audience Projects Fund and Film Hub Scotland (part of the BFI Film Audience Network), all awarding National Lottery funding.
Image Credit: The Serpent’s Skin, Dir. Alice Maio Mackay, 2025