Octavia Films has launched a new Short Film Grants Program, offering funding opportunities for emerging female filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 30.

The Toronto-based nonprofit, launched in 2011, aims to provide promotion, education and resources for women in film-making.

Grants will be awarded on three levels – $500, $1000 and $2000 – to directors and writer/directors to help with production expenses for short films (of less than 10 minutes) with a budget of no more than $5000. Films cannot be documentaries, and selection will be based on the quality of the proposal.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must also have a completed script for the film.

The first round of the applications, which started in December, ends Feb. 1, 2012, and funding recipients will be notified by March 9, 2012.