Meryl Streep has made a ''significant'' contribution to a new screenwriters venture for women aged over 40.

The Oscar-winning actress, who recently starred in the Disney movie 'Into the Woods', has thrown her considerable influence and support behind The Writers Lab, which is run by New York Women in Film and Television and will mentor eight screenwriters in New York State.

Other famous names set to support the project include 'Boyhood' producer Caroline Kaplan and 'Legally Blonde' writer Kirsten Smith, both of whom will be mentoring less established writers.

The initiative, which was launched over the weekend at the Tribeca film festival, is designed to help refine the selected writers' scripts.

Meanwhile, the 'Devil Wears Prada' actress recently revealed that despite her impressive career success, she remains as passionate as ever about making films.

Asked where her three Oscars are, Meryl said: ''They are all in the living room, besides all the other prizes. I don't want to boast with that, they are more kind of a reminder to me, that you shouldn't rest on your laurels and also that you should challenge yourself at a higher age.

''I've been a long time in that business, but I haven't lost the passion for my job yet.''