Filipinos will get some well-deserved media representation in an upcoming Pixar short film.
Filipino-American filmmaker Bobby Rubio broke the news on Twitter last Jan. 10 that he was going to helm the Pixar short “Float” as part of Pixar’s experimental storytelling initiative Spark Shorts.
It's OFFICIAL! I can finally tell you I'm the #Writer / #Director of the #Pixar #SparkShort "Float"!
I'm so proud to be a part of this program and to be among these very talented people! And I have to give a shout-out to my wonderful and talented crew, Team Float! https://t.co/08Q9FRVgRS
— Bobby Rubio (@Bobby_Rubio) January 10, 2019
A clip from the movie was featured in a preview where writers and directors discussed their work. In the clip from “Float”, a man looks surprised as his baby begins to fly away from his arms.
Image: Pixar
A clip from Pixar short “Float” shows two Filipino characters. Image: Pixar
Rubio confirmed yesterday in a tweet that the characters were Filipino, following a question from journalist Rachel Ramirez.
With enthusiasm, Rubio announced that they were “Pixar’s first all #CGI Filipino characters! So technically, the first #Pixnoys!”
He noted the significance of his work in featuring Filipinos. “I am proud to tell our stories. I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen! #RepresentationMatters.”
YES @rachjuramirez those are #Filipino lead characters in my #Pixar #SparkShort! @Pixar’s first all #CGI Filipino characters! So technically, the first #Pixnoys! I am proud to tell our stories. I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen! #RepresentationMatters https://t.co/Xh3UKfKmRt
— Bobby Rubio (@Bobby_Rubio) January 13, 2019
Rubio was born in San Diego, California and his artistic talents boast an expansive portfolio across major animation studios. He is currently a story artist in Pixar Animation Studios whose portfolio includes “Up”, “Incredibles 2”, “Inside Out” and “Brave”.
He was also a story artist for Nickelodeon’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and previously worked on Disney films such as “Tarzan” and “Treasure Planet”.
Rubio has also worked in the comic book industry and created his own comic series “Alcatraz High” and “4 Gun Conclusion”. JB
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