THE company behind a British-made film about Jane Austen is offering people the chance to play a role in its success.

Fuschia Films has launched a campaign on crowdsharing website Kickstarter to raise £15,500 towards the feature documentary called Overcoming Pride & Prejudice.

Benefits for backers include the chance to be an 'extra' in the film, an opportunity to be an insider at the Cannes Film Festival and an invitation to the film's première.

Filming has already begun for the feature documentary but now Fuschia is looking for backers for the next phase of production. They want to continue to film some of the exciting 200th anniversary inspired events taking place this year and are also preparing for the filming of dramatized episodes from Jane Austen's life due to start in spring 2014.

The film aims to explore Jane's impact as a female writer, the challenges she faced to become a published novelist at the dawn of the nineteenth century and looks at why her novels, including the well loved Pride & Prejudice, remain so popular worldwide.

It is directed by Sue Pomeroy whose career includes theatrical tours of Pride & Prejudice and Emma.

Sue said: “Jane lived and worked in what was, for her, a repressive state. She could not go out to work or settle into a sparkling career as a novelist. It's when you understand the times she lived in that you understand her relevance, subversion and brilliance.

“Overcoming Pride & Prejudice will give people a deeper understanding of Jane Austen, they will get to know her better both as a woman and as a writer and become acquainted with the people who shaped her world. 

“During filming we’ve met Jane Austen lovers from all over the world and we would love to share this film with them internationally as we move to the next stage of production.

“People who support us on Kickstarter will be contributing towards filming, editing, producing and marketing the film. Whether they are large or small funders, they all have a vital part to play in helping us to share Jane's story far and wide.”

For more information, search for the project on Kickstarter.

The project closes on Monday, November 11 and if the total is not reached, no funds will be taken from pledges.