It was announced way back in January that Pixar would officially be producing its first-ever Filipino animated short as part of its new developmental project, Spark Shorts. We knew very little about the project aside from it being titled “Float” and directed by Filipino-America, Bobby Rubio. There were vague hints that the story would revolve around a father and son but aside from that, not much else was released.
Now, we finally have a release date for the short, a bit more information on what the story focuses on, and even some insight from the director himself! According to Action News, “Float” depicts a father-son relationship that deals with themes of acceptance.
(Bobby Pontillas, a Filipino animator, is nominated for an Oscar!)
“It’s based on my own personal story of my son,” Pixar writer/director Rubio says. “In the story, the father is dealing with a son that floats, which makes him different from other children.” The short then follows the father as he deals with accepting the quirks and qualities which make his son unique.
Rubio also shares that he paid special attention in making the characters mimic his and his son’s Filipino features. “I know we don’t all look alike, but at the same time, I wanted traits that I had so that it at least felt authentic,” he explains.
“Float” will premiere on Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, when it launches on November 12. “As a Filipino-American and it being Filipino History Month, I am super proud that this is coming out, and we are making history,” Rubio declared.
What do you think about this?
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