A HOLLYWOOD actress has joined the cast of a film directed by a university student.

Victoria Summer will star in indie-film, Vindication Swim, directed by Brighton-born filmmaker, Elliott Hasler.

The film tells the true story of Brighton swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, who became the first English woman to swim the Channel in 1927.

Victoria will play Edith Gade, a rival of Mercedes, who comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat.

The actress, who has starred in Saving Mr Banks alongside Tom Hanks, said she is excited to work with Elliott after the pair initially met during an interview.

Victoria told The Argus: “I actually have a show called The Next Generation Role Model Show and I had Elliott on the show because he is a young, up and coming producer, director and filmmaker.

“After the interview he came back to me and said, ‘oh my God you would be perfect for this character for my next film’, and that’s how we met.

“It’s funny how things work out.”

Victoria will join the cast and crew in the new year as they continue to shoot the film in Brighton and at locations around Sussex.

Scenes have already been shot at Eastbourne Pier and in Peacehaven.

Elliot hopes that the film will shine a light on Mercedes’ incredible and historic achievement.

He said: “Mercedes was perhaps the most famous woman in the country, and maybe even in the world at the time.

“She was household name in 1927 and then she just sort of faded from the public memory, which I think is a massive tragedy.

“Hopefully this film is going to reinvigorate her memory and make her name known again.”

Elliott plans to premiere the movie at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, before it is released in cinemas.