James R | On 23, Sep 2021

Pixar is expanding the world of Luca with a new short, Ciao Alberto.

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, the original film is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer), but all the fun is threatened by a deeply held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

Directed by Enrico Casarosa (La Luna) and produced by Andrea Warren (Lava), the film premiered on Disney+ on 18th June.

“Pixar’s warm summer adventure is a beautifully simple tale of acceptance,” we wrote in our review.

While that meant it skipped cinemas, though, Disney’s streaming service will be the home of a companion short, titled Ciao Alberto. It will be directed by McKenna Harris, who was a story artist on Luca and Raya and the Last Dragon. It will premiere on Disney+ on 12th November, on what Disney is dubbing “Disney+ Day”, marking the streaming service’s second anniversary.

Also arriving on Disney+ on the same day will be Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Jungle Cruise, new Christmas remake Home Sweet Home Alone, the Disney animated series Olf Presents, a short from The Simpsons, Season 2 of The World According to Jeff Goldblum, a special showcasing the origins and legacy of Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett, and Dopesick, a drama starring Michael Keaton.

The day will also feature a “Disney+ Day fan celebration”, featuring news, first looks, new trailers, exclusive clips and appearances from Disney+ creators and stars.

 

Ciao Alberto is available on Disney+ UK, as part of a £7.99 monthly subscription or a £79.99 yearly subscription.

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