26 Facts About Ian Darling

Ian David Darling is a documentary film director and producer.

Ian Darling is the executive director of Shark Island Institute and its production arm, Shark Island Productions in Sydney, Australia.

Ian Darling is an executive producer of Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, Paper and Glue, On the Record, Woodstock for Capitalists, 2040, The Fourth Estate, The Bleeding Edge, Unrest, Inventing Tomorrow and How to Change the World.

Ian Darling was founder of GoodPitch Australia which funded 19 films, including 2040, The Hunting Ground, That Sugar Film, Gayby Baby, Prison Songs, Frackman, Zach's Ceremony, The Opposition, Ghosthunter, Whiteley, Blue, The Leadership, and In My Blood It Runs.

Ian Darling was chair of the Sydney Theatre Company and the STC Foundation, from 2006 to 2010.

Ian Darling has been a director of the National Institute of Dramatic Art, chair of The Oasis Youth Support Network, and member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Ian Darling received the Byron Kennedy Award for innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence at the 2018 AACTA Awards.

Ian Darling's photographs have been finalists in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the National Photographic Portrait Prize, the Sydney Life Photography Prize and his portrait of Jon Muir was hung in "The Look" in 2019 and is part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

In 2021 Darling co-wrote and acted in The Twins with comedian Greg Fleet.

Ian Darling's first documentary in 2001 Woodstock for Capitalists was a film featuring investors and philanthropists Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger and won the CINE Golden Eagle Award.

The Oasis became the inspiration to Ian Darling filming two docu-dramas Polly and Me, and Wall Boy.

Ian Darling directed the music clip video for the end credit song by Paul Kelly "Every Day My Mother's Voice" released for Mother's Day 2019.

Ian Darling shared some of his personal story in the 2021 play "The Twins" co-written by school friend Greg Fleet and Sarah Butler, Ian Darling and Fleet played themselves onstage.

Ian Darling is the founder and patron of Documentary Australia, a not for profit organisation which encourages collaboration between philanthropic grant makers, charities and documentary filmmakers and winner of the Stanley Hawes Award in 2013.

Ian Darling was chair of the Documentary Australia Foundation from 2006 to 2011.

Ian Darling is chair of Good Pitch Australia, a not-for-profit event hosted in Australia by Shark Island Institute and Documentary Australia.

Ian Darling was the founder and managing director of the Caledonia Investments group from 1992 to 2003.

Ian Darling is supporter of the Arts, he is patron of the Kangaroo Valley Upper River Hall ArtsLab, and a member of Impact Partners New York.

Ian Darling has been an Ambassador of Antenna Documentary Film Festival and a Patron of Human Rights Arts Film Festival, he was a Foundation Donor for the Marriage Equality Campaign.

Ian Darling was chair of the Sydney Theatre Company and STC Foundation from 2006 to 2010.

Ian Darling appointed Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton as Co-Artistic Directors in 2008 and after leaving STC as chairman, his position was replaced by David Gonski.

Ian Darling has been a member of the advisory board of The Salvation Army and Chair of The Oasis Youth Support Network, and a Director of the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Ian Darling was recipient of the 2007 Creative Partnerships Australia Business Leadership Award, and recipient of Australia's Leading Philanthropist Award from Philanthropy Australia in 2017.

In 2018 Ian Darling was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to documentary film production, to the performing arts, education and community engagement, and to social welfare organisations through philanthropic endeavours".

Also in 2018, Darling was the recipient of the Byron Kennedy Award for brave, innovative and wide-ranging pursuit of excellence, presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.

Ian Darling was named Australian National University's 2020 Alumnus of the Year.