A Malta-shot short film featuring the story of an African migrant through the lens of Hollywood take has just been released.

Titled Same Same, But Different, the film was shot between November and December, in an attempt to humanise a migrant story beyond the numbers.

It was made in collaboration with a Dutch media platform called Mindshakes and Pineapple Media, a Maltese production company.

"I shot it in Malta since it is an island on the forefront of the 'migrant crisis' and also because it's somewhat well-known for the difficulties it has with integration," said director Rob Key.

"While stars are being crafted on one side of the island, on another side asylum seekers are being detained and observed only through the distanced and impersonal lens of a news report. Hence it seemed like a decent place and context to raise the issue of representation of 'the migrants': how would things look if we switched the lens around?

"Generally, I had a great response from the public and many messages of support. But I also experienced some very negative responses from people who were clearly angered by the whole thing. But for me, the most weighty part of the process was travelling around the island speaking with people who had landed at Malta and hearing so many stories of hardship, struggle, and mistreatment."