Milano Cortina 2026 signs partnership with producers of Rising Phoenix
Milano Cortina 2026 has announced a partnership with Harder Than You Think (HTYT), the creators of Rising Phoenix, the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary, to produce an exclusive long-form documentary dedicated to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. This project aims to celebrate the Games, their athletes, and the power of Paralympic sport while leaving a lasting legacy that engages global audiences.
Building on the success of Rising Phoenix, HTYT will create the official long-form documentary for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as part of a broader production collaboration. Additional digital content will be released before and during the Games. With six winter sports taking place across three Italian regions in March 2026—coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics—the project seeks to expand the global reach of Paralympic sport while honoring the remarkable journeys of Winter Paralympians.
For Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 and HTYT, this partnership presents a unique opportunity to showcase Paralympic athletes like never before, producing historic content that highlights the Games, their stars, and the spirit of Paralympic competition.
HTYT will oversee production, while Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access to its archives, key moments, and the Games themselves.
This initiative will serve as a defining legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, reinforcing Paralympic values and inspiring future generations. Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 and HTYT are now seeking support from International Paralympic Committee (IPC) TOP partners and domestic sponsors to collaborate on this groundbreaking project, which will benefit both Milano Cortina 2026 and the broader Paralympic movement.
This partnership follows an agreement between HTYT and the IPC, granting HTYT exclusive rights to tell the Paralympic story through the LA28 Paralympic Games. The IPC, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, and HTYT share a strong commitment to maximizing the impact and reach of this collaboration.
Since the release of Rising Phoenix, HTYT has continued to produce Paralympic-focused content, including a documentary series for Channel 4 that followed athletes leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics and a 2024 podcast series exploring what it takes to become a Paralympian.
Ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, HTYT will produce a social media series following Winter Paralympians on their road to the Games, alongside a new season of the Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take podcast, which highlights the dedication and perseverance required to excel in Paralympic sport.
During the Games, HTYT’s production team will be on-site, capturing athletes, their support teams, and the Organising Committee while documenting key moments and reactions at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Following the Games, the official long-form documentary will bring the full story of Milano Cortina 2026 to life, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the Organising Committee and the world’s top Winter Paralympians.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of Milano Cortina 2026, stated:
“We are truly proud and honored to present this project. It will be the Official Film of the Paralympic Winter Games and one of the key legacies of Milano Cortina 2026.
“By offering a behind-the-scenes look at the efforts of the Organising Committee and the journeys of the Paralympic athletes who are actively involved in shaping the Games, we aim to provide a fresh and unique perspective on the Paralympic narrative.”
Calum Campbell, Director of Development at Harder Than You Think, added:
“For the next chapter of Rising Phoenix, we are thrilled to partner with the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee. We have always wanted to create more content around the Paralympic Winter Games, and this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to share the incredible stories of Winter Paralympians with the world.”