Ciao Alberto (2021) is a charming animated short film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released on Disney+. It serves as a delightful follow-up to the 2021 feature film Luca, expanding on the story of the lovable sea monster, Alberto Scorfano. Directed by McKenna Harris, Ciao Alberto explores the growth and new challenges that Alberto faces as he embarks on a life on land in the Italian seaside village of Portorosso.

The short picks up after the events of Luca, where Alberto has decided to remain in Portorosso, while his friend Luca goes to school in the city. Now living independently and away from his family, Alberto has to adjust to life on land, learning new skills and coping with the daily realities of human life. The story focuses on Alberto’s evolving relationship with Massimo, the local fisherman, who becomes a father figure to him.

Massimo is a key character in the short. He is kind, tough, and patient, serving as a mentor to Alberto and helping him adjust to the land-based world. Alberto, still a young sea monster learning about human life, faces numerous amusing and sometimes difficult challenges, such as managing a fishing boat and dealing with the tasks of living independently. The bond that forms between Alberto and Massimo is heartwarming, illustrating the theme of personal growth, mentorship, and the importance of finding family in unexpected places.