Here’s something Filipinos can look forward to and get excited about – “Float”, the Disney/Pixar film featuring the first-ever all-Filipino computer-generated imagery (CGI) lead characters, is finally coming out on November 12 as one of the short stories that will be featured in the Disney Plus Streaming Service app.
The October 30 news about the scheduled release of the animated short film, created, produced, and directed by Filipino-American writer/producer Bobby Rubio, was fittingly timed with Filipino-American History Month.
The Filipino-themed film was first announced early this year as part of the Pixar SparkShorts experimental storytelling initiative that allowed Pixar personnel to develop short films that would tell their stories.
“Float” is presented as a story of acceptance. It is a story of how a father discovers that his son floats, which makes him different from other kids. When his son’s ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is. “Float” is seen as a chance to celebrate children with unique gifts.
“It’s based on my own personal story, of my son,” Bobby Rubio explained about the storyline of “Float” to Action News on ABC.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t see much characters that looked like me on television or movies and I am thrilled that my children will have these guys and hopefully they are just the beginning and will inspire more Filipino-American stories to come!” wrote Rubio on an Instagram post about the boy character he created for Float.
The father in the story has darker skin and a pronounced feature of a flatter nose. “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,” added Rubio.
“Float” was one of the short films screened earlier in October at the Disney Hocus Pocus. People who have seen “Float,” say the heartwarming story is filled with emotional roller coaster scenes favored in Filipino dramas.
By creating Filipino American characters, Bobby Rubio found a way of using his craft and passion in animation to introduce Filipino-American culture to the world of animation.
The Oscar-nominated Bobby Rubio has been championing his Filipino heritage also in comic books particularly with Neighborhood Legend’s Filipino superhero who uses Philippine arnis as his weapon.
WATCH “Float” in this Pixar Sparkshorts trailer and SEND congratulations Bobby Rubio in the comments below!
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