FWD-Doc Member Beatrice Leong Selected for 2026 EFM Toolbox Programme
FWD-Doc is excited to share that Beatrice Leong is part of Berlinale’s EFM Toolbox program after being nominated by FWD-Doc.
“Coming from Malaysia, trying to make films while doing disability justice work, these chances do not come easily. [When they appear], you grab them, because they open doors that are usually closed to people like me.”
- Beatrice Leung
EFM Toolbox supports underrepresented, emerging producers of narrative and nonfiction projects from around the world to gain first-hand, real-world experience at the European Film Market. Through workshops, mentorship, industry meetings, networking and attending EFM in early 2026, the program is a major step for producers looking to take their careers to the next level.
Beatrice says, “It’s not just about growing my own project — but also about opening up possibilities for others like me in this part of the world, where the pathways are narrow and support is scarce. I want to bring back what I learn, share it, and help widen the space for disabled filmmakers and underrepresented storytellers here. This feels like a step toward that.”
About Beatrice
Beatrice Leong is a Malaysian documentary filmmaker and gender-disability activist who believes in the power of stories to name what others silence. When she was finally diagnosed with autism in adulthood, after a lifetime of psychiatric and medical injustice, she began using storytelling to reclaim what was lost and connect with others who’ve been left out.
Alongside filmmaking, she works across national, regional, and global spaces to advance disability inclusion, policy change, and narrative justice. Beatrice also serves on the advisory board of the Disability Justice Project, a media platform that supports disabled human rights defenders in the Global South through storytelling and advocacy.
THE MYTH OF MONSTERS will be her first feature documentary exploring her personal story about mothers, silence, and what it means to belong.
See past FWD-Doc members who participated in EFM Toolbox programs on our Programs page.