Dogwoof is heading into MIPCOM with fresh momentum after securing major rights deals for Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire, two documentaries already generating strong industry buzz. The latest Dogwoof acquisitions underline the company’s growing influence in premium factual storytelling, especially as buyers look for festival-backed titles with global appeal.
The London-based producer and distributor has picked up international rights to Rapinoe, excluding North America, after the documentary opened the TIFF Docs program at the Toronto International Film Festival. At the same time, Dogwoof is pushing ahead with international sales on Hanging By a Wire, a rescue documentary that has also gained awards-season attention after being selected by Pakistan as its official entry for the 2027 Oscars in the International Feature Film category.
Dogwoof strengthens its documentary slate with Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire
For the TV and video market, these acquisitions are significant. Dogwoof has built a reputation for handling high-profile documentary features, and the addition of Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire adds two very different but equally compelling stories to its lineup.
One is a sports and social justice portrait centered on one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. The other is a tense real-life survival story set against a dramatic landscape in northern Pakistan. Together, they represent the kind of emotionally driven nonfiction programming that continues to travel well across broadcasters, streamers, and theatrical markets.
What Rapinoe is about
Directed by Rebeca Huntt, whose previous work includes Beba, Rapinoe traces the life and career of soccer icon Megan Rapinoe. The documentary follows her journey from a working-class upbringing in Redding, California, to becoming a two-time Women’s World Cup champion and one of the most outspoken figures in the fight for equal pay in sport.
According to the reported details, the film offers close access to Rapinoe and her family, while exploring the personal toll of public advocacy and her transition away from professional football. That framing could make Rapinoe appealing well beyond sports audiences, reaching viewers interested in women’s rights, activism, fame, and identity.
The film is produced by Story Syndicate and Noah Media Group, with Impact Partners presenting. Producers include Dan Cogan, Rebeca Huntt, Zoe Potkin, and Kate Barry.
Why Hanging By a Wire is drawing attention
Directed by Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Hanging By a Wire tells the story of a dramatic rescue involving six schoolboys and two adults trapped in a cable car suspended 900 feet above a ravine in the Himalayan foothills of northern Pakistan. The premise alone gives the documentary immediate tension, but its awards trajectory is adding even more visibility.
The film premiered at Sundance 2026 and recently became Pakistan’s official submission for the 2027 Oscars. That combination of festival exposure and awards positioning could help Hanging By a Wire stand out in a crowded documentary marketplace.
The production roster also adds weight. The documentary is backed by Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions, EverWonder Studio, Universal Pictures Content Group, and 64th Street Media. Paramount+ already holds rights in several territories, while Dogwoof will represent the film in other international markets. In the United States, Abramorama controls sales rights.
What these deals mean ahead of MIPCOM
MIPCOM remains one of the biggest marketplaces for television and screen content, making timing crucial. By arriving with Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire in hand, Dogwoof is signaling confidence in premium documentary demand across global buyers.
These kinds of deals matter because they show where factual entertainment is heading:
- Festival credibility matters: Buyers continue to respond to titles that launch at TIFF or Sundance.
- Real-life stakes sell internationally: Both sports biographies and rescue documentaries translate well across markets.
- Streamer and broadcaster demand remains strong: Premium docs are still prized as event programming for platforms and linear networks alike.
- Awards buzz boosts value: Oscar positioning can extend a film’s lifespan and raise buyer interest.
For Dogwoof, Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire are not just acquisitions. They are strategic titles that can anchor conversations with buyers looking for prestige nonfiction with emotional resonance and topical relevance.
Additional Dogwoof sales reveal strong global appetite for docs
Alongside Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire, Dogwoof has also unveiled a broader wave of sales ahead of MIPCOM. These deals help paint a fuller picture of the current documentary market.
Lomu lands major international buyers
Lomu, directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald, has secured deals with:
- ITV in the UK
- Canal+ in France
- Madman in Australia and New Zealand
- Movistar in Spain
- RTÉ in Ireland
The documentary focuses on rugby legend Jonah Lomu and has already proven successful theatrically in New Zealand, grossing $440,545 from 28,695 admissions. That local box office strength gives the film added credibility as an audience-friendly sports documentary with international appeal.
Knife expands after Sundance premiere
Dogwoof also reported a series of sales for Alex Gibney’s Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, another Sundance 2026 documentary. New buyers include ZDF/Arte, HBO Max in Central and Eastern Europe, Madman, Filmin, Movistar, NonStop Entertainment, VPRO, VRT, and BBC Arabic.
The film examines the attack on Salman Rushdie and his recovery, drawing from the author’s memoir. Like Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire, it sits at the intersection of real-world urgency and premium storytelling.
Why Rapinoe could be one of Dogwoof’s standout titles
Among the new acquisitions, Rapinoe may have particularly broad crossover potential. Megan Rapinoe’s story touches on sports, celebrity, LGBTQ+ visibility, labor rights, and the economics of women’s athletics. That gives the documentary multiple entry points for audiences and programmers alike.
In an increasingly crowded content environment, documentaries that can spark cultural conversation have a clear edge. Rapinoe appears built for that kind of impact, especially if it balances intimate biography with the wider political and social forces that shaped Rapinoe’s public image.
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Conclusion
With Rapinoe and Hanging By a Wire, Dogwoof is entering MIPCOM with two documentaries that combine festival prestige, strong human stories, and international sales potential. The company’s latest moves suggest that demand for ambitious, emotionally rich nonfiction remains robust, especially when the subject matter carries both cultural relevance and cinematic scale. For buyers, streamers, and documentary fans alike, Rapinoe is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched titles in Dogwoof’s current slate.
