In Pixar’s short film “Ciao Alberto,” Alberto accidentally sets a boat on fire.
The boat belongs to Massimo, Giulia’s father and Alberto’s employer at the Portorosso fishery. Alberto is eager to prove himself after earlier mistakes cost the day’s catch, so he secretly takes the fishing boat out at night to catch more fish.
Machiavelli the cat has stowed away on board. When Alberto is startled by the cat, he drops his lantern, and the flames spread to the boat. Alberto and Machiavelli escape just before Massimo arrives and sees the damage.
The burning boat is more than a slapstick accident: it deepens Alberto’s fear that Massimo will reject or fire him. After Alberto calls Massimo “Dad,” the two begin repairing the boat together, turning the accident into a step toward their surrogate father-and-son relationship.
“Ciao Alberto” is set after Luca and continues Alberto’s life in Portorosso. The eight-minute short premiered on Disney+ on November 12, 2021, and was directed by McKenna Harris.