HOLLYWOOD icons will be judging the work of a Hackney animator when she competes for �30,000 funding as one the best up-and-coming filmmakers in Britain.

Kate Anderson is among 12 finalists shortlisted for national competition Virgin Media Shorts.

The 33-year-old, of Graham Road, beat off stiff rivalry from 1,600 hopefuls who uploaded their short films online hoping to win a grand prize of up to �30,000 film funding and backing for future projects.

Her film, Probably, will be judged by a star-studded panel of experts including Hollywood actress Thandie Newton, British film directors Mike Newell and Duncan Jones and film critic James King. It’s an animated story about the development of a boy as he grows up and attempts to follow his dreams.

As one of the final nominations, Probably will now be screened in more than 200 cinemas across the UK.

“I am chuffed to be shortlisted for Virgin Media Shorts,” said Kate, who has been making films for more than 15 years. “The competition gives micro filmmaking a much-deserved platform. Browsing through the entries, it is impossible not to marvel at the talent and diversity of what filmmakers can do in 140 seconds.”

Virgin Media Shorts is in its third year and last year’s champion, Luke Snellin, went on to bag a contract with a top production company and a BAFTA award nomination.

This year’s winner will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony at the British Film Institute at the South Bank on Tuesday, October 5.