Practicing capturing some iconic Italian shots for our upcoming film in Torrita di Siena!

Experience the thrill of the 69th Palio dei Somari 2026 in the beautiful hill town of Torrita di Siena - one of Tuscany’s most unique and entertaining historic festivals! 🇮🇹 This traditional donkey race brings together the 8 contrade (districts) of the town in an electrifying competition filled with passion, rivalry, and unforgettable atmosphere. Watch as jockeys race through the track on donkeys, cheered on by vibrant crowds waving flags, chanting, and celebrating their contrada pride. 🎉 What you’ll see in this video: • High-energy donkey races featuring all 8 contradas • The intense competition for Palio victory • Colorful parades, costumes, and medieval traditions • Authentic Tuscan festival atmosphere • Crowd reactions, cheering, and local spirit The Palio dei Somari is more than a race - it’s a deep-rooted cultural tradition that showcases the heart and identity of Tuscany.

Pete and I were out scouting and shooting some B roll for our movie Chasing la Bella Vita which we are starting to film in earnest right now. We have our main characters lined up and ready to go. Honestly with so much beautiful scenery this film will almost shoot itself! Join our Facebook group here and follow along the filming process: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092301205117

I love it when I randomly hear a marching band coming down the via!!

Chasing permits for Chasing la Bella Vita! As you may know I have been getting ready to film our feature film Chasing la Bella Vita here in Torrita di Siena. The screenplay is written and the actors are being lined up. Today I met with the person who handles promotion and tourism in Torrita and she set up an appointment tomorrow with the mayor and the local police so we can find out what permits we need for the drone. Pete has his EU license and insurance however we need to know if there are any special permissions we need in addition. Everything is falling into place!