Naomi Watts in the elite judge panel for Tropfest short film fest

Sydney, Feb 11 : Actress Naomi Watts will be the celebrity judge at the Tropfest short film festival this year.

The actress, who is turning 40 this year, will be accompanying five other judges in the panel, when the 16 finalists will be screened at The Domain next Sunday.

The panel will also include last year's winner Steve Baker and Tropfest founder John Polson.

Describing Watts as "a remarkable and accomplished woman" in the film industry, Polson said that it was an honour to have her as the judge.

The Oscar-nominated actress will also be presenting the Balance Water Women in Film award, meant to encourage female filmmakers to compete in the blokey world of cinema.

She said that she was pleased to be part of the elite judge panel, and doing her share for feminism.

"Australia being home, I naturally wanted to support my fellow Aussie filmmakers, and in particular, the women in our industry," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying.

Past celebrity judges of the short film festival include Watts's friend and former acting school classmate, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson and Keanu Reeves.

ANI