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WHITE WASH: Two of the posters promoted in Italy enlarge the faces of Michael Fassbender, left, and Brad Pitt

HOLLYWOOD STUDIO Lionsgate is embroiled in a race row after the release of posters for 12 Years A Slave which appear to focus on the film’s white cast members.

The promotional posters of the slavery drama, which were released in Italy, feature a prominent picture of Brad Pitt who is a producer and also has a small role as a good-hearted Canadian labourer.

But Chiwetel Ejiofor, who appears in almost every frame of the film, hardly figures in the promotional content.

Irish film star Michael Fassbender, who plays a supporting role as a slave owner, was also elevated to prime position in the publicity content.

Lionsgate, acting through its Summit subsidiary, labelled the offending material rogue and said it was doing its best to have it withdrawn.

A spokesperson for the company told Variety: "The 12 Years A Slave theatrical posters featuring Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender that were recently released in Italy were unauthorised and were not approved by any of the producers or licensors of the film".

"Summit Entertainment, acting as exclusive sales agent for the licensors, is investigating and taking immediate action to stop the distribution of any unauthorised posters and to have those posters currently in the marketplace recalled."

Directed by Steve McQueen and co-starring Michael K. Williams, Quvenzhané Wallis and Scoot McNairy, 12 Years A Slave will open in the UK on 10 January 2014.