Four Feet Up is an intimate portrayal of child poverty in Canada by award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker Nance Ackerman.

Twenty years after the promise of the House of Commons "to eliminate poverty among Canadian children," 8-year-old Isaiah contemplates what "less fortunate" means as he finds his voice through his own magical drawings and photographs. Astute about the fact that his parents don't make a lot of money, Isaiah is unaware of their constant worry about putting food on the table, affording any after-school opportunities, and keeping stereotypes at a distance.

Four Feet Up invites us into the lives of this determined family, revealing an intimate and touching experience of child poverty in one of the world's richest nations.

Nance Ackerman, Filmmaker

Documentary photographer and filmmaker, Nance Ackerman has been taking pictures around the world for over 20 years. Her photographs have appeared in Time, Newsweek, Canadian Geographic, The New York Times and The Globe and Mail. In 2005 she turned her eye to directing, with the National Film Board multi-award winning documentary Cottonland, examining the issues surrounding post-industrial malaise, addiction and dependence.

Ackerman's photographs have exhibited at the McCord Museum in Montreal and the Aperture Foundation, in New York. She freelances for the Smithsonian Institute, teaches workshops in Guatemala, and her book, Womankind: Faces of Change Around the World, a collection of portraits and essays of international women activists, was published in 2003. She is also a musician, composer and co-founder of Heartstring Productions, with partner Jamie Alcorn. Nance lives in rural Nova Scotia with her two children.

Annette Clarke, Producer (NFB)

Annette Clarke's documentaries range from intimate conversations with young Afghan Canadians to an exploration of cultures that live off the land, yet now are seen as villains by urban environmentalists. In addition to her work in documentary, Clarke also produces animation and cross-platform projects. Her productions have been broadcast across North America, and have also been seen on television and festival screens in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Recent highlights include Four Feet Up, Griefwalker, Good Morning Kandahar, Vive La Rose, Inside Time, Hannah's Story, Cottonland.