One of the upcoming Pixar SparkShorts , Float, is set to be coming soon to Disney+. In Float, a father discovers that his son is different from other kids in the most unusual way. To keep them both safe from judgement, Dad covers him and keeps him out of sight—but when his son’s ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is.

Recently creator Bobby Alcid Rubio, spoke with the San Diego Magazine about his new short and his work at Pixar.

Float tells the story of a father figuring out how to raise a son who has an ability no other neighborhood kids have. How’d you come up with the premise and how’d you present it to SparkShorts?

The short is based on my relationship with my son. It started as a story I just wanted to get out of me. About a year ago, I thought, “I’m just going to do it.” I storyboarded it, then someone at Pixar suggested I pitch it to Lindsey Collins [Pixar’s VP of development]. I did, and she said it was a perfect candidate for SparkShorts. I was ecstatic.

Pixar artists are notorious for hiding Easter eggs in their films. Did you hide some in Float?

Oh yeah. There are plenty of San Diego Easter eggs in it, including a shout-out to Paradise Hills.

Why is it important to represent where you’re from and also your identity in your work?

I find myself in an interesting position. Pixar has a worldwide reach, and I get to showcase my artwork. I’m more than willing to talk to the majority about the underrepresented, whether it’s being Filipino American or being a special-needs family, if it helps remind others like me that we aren’t alone. I hope kids in Paradise Hills are inspired to be proud of where they’re from. I want my children to grow up knowing characters can look like them so that they don’t feel like the outsider, so they too can believe they can be something. That they can be a hero.

Are you excited for “Float”?

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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