Even as American authorities try to batten down the hatches and secure the border, the Canadian Film Centre has plans to throw them wide open. The film institution has announced plans for the CFC North-South Marketplace — an effort intended to ‘support, foster and build’ U.S. relationships for Canadian talent.

Access to the U.S. will come in the form of a series of yet-to-be-announced initiatives involving networking opportunities, project matchmaking and development assistance. The goal is to create an environment for the two communities to come together to share experiences and innovations — something especially important as creatives tackle the opportunities and challenges of a digital environment.

The program will be guided by an advisory board comprised of Canadian and American production and studio executives, who will ensure projects have the ability to reach wide audiences and address the needs of the market.

While the list of board members has yet to be finalized, it will include the participation of Howard Davine, EVP of ABC Studios; Hart Hanson, creator and exec producer of Bones; and National Film Board chair Tom Perlmutter.

Among the first initiatives is the online contest The Reel Challenge: Make Your Own Movie. Kicking off in early December, the contest asks Canadian talent to come up with a film spot ‘that addresses the importance of content protection in a compelling way from a creator’s perspective.’

The winning film takes home $10,000, with the two runners-up each earning $2,500. Details will be available in early December at thereelchallenge.ca