FILMMAKERS Dane Jones and Thomas Houston are hoping their first feature film — a post-apocalyptic thriller — will win over fans before it is even produced.

Dane, from Leigh, and film director pal Thomas have taken to the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to raise £30,000 for film Anathema, where film buffs can pledge money to it.

The film follows young Addison and his sister as they travel through Britain seeking refuge from the harsh hostilities of a world ravaged by an incurable virus.

Thomas, aged 27, said: "Swine flu was raging at the time I wrote it. I had a vague idea of a story where I imagined something like the common cold going super nova. I wanted to go against the Hollywood norm. It’s not as simple as banding together and everything will work out.

"People have different ideologies. Social conformities would de-evolve. There would be no good and evil, only survival. I wanted to do a more realistic approach to the world’s end."

Thomas and Dane started up their own video production company, HoustonJones Entertainment based in Leigh.

They’re hoping Anathema will be the first of many feature films for the company.

Thomas said: "We’re asking for £30,000 to fund it because we want it to be professionally made and star high-profile actors. We’ve had interest from Alex Etel (The Water Horse), John Lynch (Sliding Doors) and Amber Rose Revah (Foyle's War), which is incredible.

"If we can show on Kickstarter that there’s an audience for the film, we’re confident we can get the rest of the funds we need from investors."

Dane added: "We made a shortlist of who we think would suit the characters in both aesthetics and, most importantly, performance.

"Once we had our shortlist of names that we knew would have an impact on distribution, I then set to calling agents and discussing the project/making inquiries."

To check out the teaser for the film, and contribute to the production, go here.

Those who pledge £10 or more will be able to se their names appear on the end credits as well as receiving other perks.