By Beatrice Leong

The Myth of Monsters

The Myth of Monsters follows Beatrice, a late-diagnosed autistic woman approaching her 40th birthday—a milestone she never thought she’d reach. Her life has been marked by misdiagnoses, wrongful psychiatric institutionalisation and trauma. As an activist, Beatrice fights for systemic change, but beneath her public persona, she grapples with personal pain and isolation. With no access to legal justice for the trauma she endured, this film is her way of imagining her own justice. Turning her own camera lens on herself, she explores the duality between her public advocacy and private struggles, as she seeks answers and truth. Beatrice reflects on whether her activism has truly helped or if it has cost her more than it has given. In her own voice, she gifts a raw, unflinching look at empowerment, survival, and the sacrifices women like her make to belong.

Section : Impact Days

Country : Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, United States

Original languages : Chinese, English, Malay

Director

Beatrice Leong (Malaysia / Malaysia)

Producers

Panuksmi Hardjowirogo (Indonesia / Singapore)
M’GO FILMS

Completion

July 2026

Impact Statement

When I was first suggested for an autism assessment at the late age of 34, I was left to navigate the complexities alone. Like me, many others are left to face a world where autism in females is misunderstood and often misdiagnosed. Societal biases further complicate this, leaving women and girls like me to live like ghosts. Our struggles and disabilities are dismissed or misunderstood and come at great personal cost. Disabled women are also the most vulnerable to sexual violence and abuse and we live 20 years less than those without a disability. As an Asian woman, my experiences are further coloured by cultural and societal expectations. This film is for another girl to know that she is not alone, that she is seen, and that she belongs just as she is.

Impact Goals

Global - Empower 100 autistic women and girls from underrepresented communities to tell their own stories.
Global - Increase visibility and representation of autistic women and girls in media through media training and partnerships.
Local - Develop a policy toolkit for Malaysian members of Parliament to support ongoing efforts for constitutional amendments protecting disabled women and girls.
Expand the toolkit into a global resource to help autistic girls fight for their rights wherever they are.

Impact Strategy

Storytelling workshops for 100 autistic women and girls from underrepresented communities, in partnership with NGOs, Girl Scouts, and UN Women. Their stories—shared through videos, photos, and zines—will be featured in The Myth of Monsters’ digital campaign and a dedicated website to amplify their voices. A coffee table book can further be developed for fundraising efforts.
Media trainings with news outlets in Malaysia to increase dignified representation of autistic women and girls and to reframe narratives around disability rights.
Policy and legislative advocacy in collaboration with the Malaysian welfare department, department of statistics, and Bar Council to use the 100 stories in a toolkit to support lobbying efforts for constitutional amendments for autistic women and girls.

Contact

Primary contact

Panuksmi Hardjowirogo (Indonesia / Singapore): panuksmi@margofilms.com

Existing Partners

Film funders
Sunny Side of the Doc – Best Impact Pitch Prize
CCDF – Chinese Documentary Forum
Bili BIli Best Pitch
ReelAbilities Film Accessibility costs In Kind

NGOs & International Organisation
UN Women
TCI Global Network
International Network of Women and Girls With Disabilities

Foundations & Philanthropists
San Yuenwah of OKU Rights Matters

Experts & Academics
Clare Gibellani, Co-Chair, Australia National Disability Research Partnership
Bonney Corbin, Chair, Australia Women’s Health Alliance

Brands & Companies
RHB Bank Malaysia

Advocates
Saowalak Thongkuay, Committee Member of UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Minjoo Son, Committee Member of UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Malaya Bar Council, Ad-hoc Committee of Persons with Disabilities

Politicians & Policy Makers
Department of Statistics Malaysia