Ian Darling

Production

Ian Darling

Ian Darling is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. He is Executive Director of Shark Island Institute and Chair of Shark Island Foundation. His Director and Producer credits for Shark Island Productions include THE VALLEY, THE POOL, THE TWINS, THE FINAL QUARTER, PAUL KELLY — STORIES OF ME, THE OASIS, SUZY & THE SIMPLE MAN, IN THE COMPANY OF ACTORS, ALONE ACROSS AUSTRALIA, WOODSTOCK FOR CAPITALISTS, POLLY & ME, THE COMEDIAN and MORNING MR GERREY. He was also a Producer on THE DEPARTMENT, LIFE AFTER THE OASIS, WALL BOY and STORIES FROM THE INSIDE, and an Executive Producer of FOLKTALES, MOTHERS OF CHIBOK, FLY, WASH MY SOUL IN THE RIVER’S FLOW, PAPER AND GLUE, ALLEN V. FARROW, ON THE RECORD, 2040, THE FOURTH ESTATE, THE BLEEDING EDGE, UNREST, INVENTING TOMORROW and HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD. Ian Darling is currently directing and producing the feature documentary CONFESSIONS OF A WAR PHOTOGRAPHER. He received the Byron Kennedy Award for innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence at the 2018 AACTA Awards. Ian received the AFI/AACTA Award for Best Direction in a Documentary, has twice been a Walkley Awards Finalist, a winner of two Film Critics Award, and nominated for numerous Australian Directors Guild, AFI/AACTA, and IF awards. He is director and producer of SHARK ISLAND SESSIONS, a new series of filmed conversations and music performances in the Old Store at Kangaroo Valley. He co-wrote and acted in the award-winning play THE TWINS, a two-hander with comedian Greg Fleet. In 2021 the play was performed over 75 shows in Adelaide, Sydney, Kangaroo Valley, Canberra and Melbourne. His photographs have been finalists in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Head On Portrait Prize, Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, and the Sydney Life Photography Prize. He presented his first solo exhibition of 50 portraits as part of the Head On Photo Festival in November 2025. Ian Darling was Founder (and former Chair) of Documentary Australia Foundation, and Founder of Good Pitch Australia. He was a Member of the Impact Partners Advisory Board in New York, a former Chair of Sydney Theatre Company and STC Foundation, and a Director of National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

Acting credits

Behind the camera

The Department poster
NR

THE DEPARTMENT is a feature documentary which takes us inside the never-before-seen child protection system at work in NSW. Filmed in an observational style, it follows caseworkers across the state as they navigate the complexities of keeping children safe in families experiencing domestic violence, addiction, poverty, mental health issues and intergenerational trauma.

The Department

2021

The Valley poster
NR

In a secluded valley, a solitary farming community yearns for human contact and shared belonging.

The Valley

2026

The Valley poster
NR

In a secluded valley, a solitary farming community yearns for human contact and shared belonging.

The Valley

2026

The Valley poster
NR

In a secluded valley, a solitary farming community yearns for human contact and shared belonging.

The Valley

2026

In the Company of Actors poster
NR

Within the world of theatre the rehearsal room is a sacred space -- the private domain where boundaries are pushed, risks taken, mistakes made, vulnerabilities exposed and, at its very best, magic created. It's not a place into which the public is often, if ever, invited. Until now; In The Company of Actors features an ensemble of Australia's finest actors, including Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, as they prepare to perform the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Hedda Gabler, at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. Opening night is just five weeks away and the pressure is on.

In the Company of Actors

2007

In the Company of Actors poster
NR

Within the world of theatre the rehearsal room is a sacred space -- the private domain where boundaries are pushed, risks taken, mistakes made, vulnerabilities exposed and, at its very best, magic created. It's not a place into which the public is often, if ever, invited. Until now; In The Company of Actors features an ensemble of Australia's finest actors, including Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, as they prepare to perform the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Hedda Gabler, at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. Opening night is just five weeks away and the pressure is on.

In the Company of Actors

2007

Alone Across Australia poster
7.0

In 2001, one of the worlds most accomplished climbers and adventurers, Jon Muir began a 2,500 kilometre odyssey to cross Australia from the south to the north coast on foot. For 128 days, Jon and his dog Seraphine, survived entirely off the land -- hunting and gathering along the way. Jon was taxed to the limit physically and emotionally. Often close to despair, he drew on his instinct for survival, his deep understanding of the land and his remarkable inner strength.

Alone Across Australia

2004

Alone Across Australia poster
7.0

In 2001, one of the worlds most accomplished climbers and adventurers, Jon Muir began a 2,500 kilometre odyssey to cross Australia from the south to the north coast on foot. For 128 days, Jon and his dog Seraphine, survived entirely off the land -- hunting and gathering along the way. Jon was taxed to the limit physically and emotionally. Often close to despair, he drew on his instinct for survival, his deep understanding of the land and his remarkable inner strength.

Alone Across Australia

2004

The Final Quarter poster
7.5

Australian documentary filmmaker Ian Darling re-examines the incidents that marked the final 3 years of Indigenous footballer Adam Goodes' playing career. Made entirely from archival footage, photos and interviews sourced from television, radio and newspapers, the film reviews the national conversation that took place over this period.

The Final Quarter

2019

The Final Quarter poster
7.5

Australian documentary filmmaker Ian Darling re-examines the incidents that marked the final 3 years of Indigenous footballer Adam Goodes' playing career. Made entirely from archival footage, photos and interviews sourced from television, radio and newspapers, the film reviews the national conversation that took place over this period.

The Final Quarter

2019

The Pool poster
8.0

Bondi Icebergs is the most photographed pool in the world. This is where generations of children have learnt to swim, where the diehard have braved the frigid waters of one hundred winters, where the young and beautiful have come to bond and bake in the hot sun. THE POOL is a stunning cinematic experience with a soundtrack that harks back to the 1960s and a cast of characters who each have a story to tell. It speaks to the enduring power of community and our collective longing to find it. No matter your background or where you’re at – everyone is equal in their swimsuits.

The Pool

2024

The Pool poster
8.0

Bondi Icebergs is the most photographed pool in the world. This is where generations of children have learnt to swim, where the diehard have braved the frigid waters of one hundred winters, where the young and beautiful have come to bond and bake in the hot sun. THE POOL is a stunning cinematic experience with a soundtrack that harks back to the 1960s and a cast of characters who each have a story to tell. It speaks to the enduring power of community and our collective longing to find it. No matter your background or where you’re at – everyone is equal in their swimsuits.

The Pool

2024

The Pool poster
8.0

Bondi Icebergs is the most photographed pool in the world. This is where generations of children have learnt to swim, where the diehard have braved the frigid waters of one hundred winters, where the young and beautiful have come to bond and bake in the hot sun. THE POOL is a stunning cinematic experience with a soundtrack that harks back to the 1960s and a cast of characters who each have a story to tell. It speaks to the enduring power of community and our collective longing to find it. No matter your background or where you’re at – everyone is equal in their swimsuits.

The Pool

2024

Woodstock for Capitalists poster
NR

A story about the good side of capitalism. Three days of love and worship. A millionaire's convention in Omaha, Nebraska - probably the largest gathering of private wealth at any one time, anywhere in the world - but it's not about money.

Woodstock for Capitalists

2001

Woodstock for Capitalists poster
NR

A story about the good side of capitalism. Three days of love and worship. A millionaire's convention in Omaha, Nebraska - probably the largest gathering of private wealth at any one time, anywhere in the world - but it's not about money.

Woodstock for Capitalists

2001

Suzy & The Simple Man poster
NR

SUZY & THE SIMPLE MAN is an environmental love story about sustainability and the cycle of life. Eight years in the making, this intimate, funny and uplifting film features Suzy and her adventurer husband Jon Muir who live a simple life off the grid — growing organic fruit and vegetables and caring for their chooks and sheep. But the simple life is never as easy as it seems. When all seems perfect something changes their world and life takes an unexpected turn. With bravery and conviction Suzy and Jon confront perhaps their greatest challenge yet, and consider taking the road less travelled. SUZY & THE SIMPLE MAN is a modest story with big questions at its heart: our relationship to each other, to nature and to other creatures, the care of the planet and ourselves, and confronting our own mortality.

Suzy & The Simple Man

2016

Suzy & The Simple Man poster
NR

SUZY & THE SIMPLE MAN is an environmental love story about sustainability and the cycle of life. Eight years in the making, this intimate, funny and uplifting film features Suzy and her adventurer husband Jon Muir who live a simple life off the grid — growing organic fruit and vegetables and caring for their chooks and sheep. But the simple life is never as easy as it seems. When all seems perfect something changes their world and life takes an unexpected turn. With bravery and conviction Suzy and Jon confront perhaps their greatest challenge yet, and consider taking the road less travelled. SUZY & THE SIMPLE MAN is a modest story with big questions at its heart: our relationship to each other, to nature and to other creatures, the care of the planet and ourselves, and confronting our own mortality.

Suzy & The Simple Man

2016

The Oasis poster
NR

Tough kids from tough backgrounds living dangerous lives - these are the young people of the Oasis, a grimy brick youth refuge in inner-city Sydney. No story is too horrific, no circumstance too dire, no kid too damaged for its tireless director, Captain Paul Moulds. Father figure, counselor, saviour and an orphan himself, Paul is nothing short of a legend amongst those who stumble in at breaking point with nowhere left to go. This raw observational documentary filmed over two years captures Paul's daily battle to save these lost children of the so-called "Lucky Country".

The Oasis

2008

The Oasis poster
NR

Tough kids from tough backgrounds living dangerous lives - these are the young people of the Oasis, a grimy brick youth refuge in inner-city Sydney. No story is too horrific, no circumstance too dire, no kid too damaged for its tireless director, Captain Paul Moulds. Father figure, counselor, saviour and an orphan himself, Paul is nothing short of a legend amongst those who stumble in at breaking point with nowhere left to go. This raw observational documentary filmed over two years captures Paul's daily battle to save these lost children of the so-called "Lucky Country".

The Oasis

2008

Paul Kelly: Stories of Me poster
8.2

An intimate portrait of Paul Kelly, Australia's foremost singer-songwriter. In a career spanning more than thirty years he has documented the history of our country, described its landscapes and cities, and captured the lives and loves of its citizens. Kelly has written over 350 songs, penned lyrics for many other singers, co-authored songs and written for film. But like all great artists Paul Kelly is both candid and reserved. He has lived in the public eye but has remained an enigma.

Paul Kelly: Stories of Me

2012

Paul Kelly: Stories of Me poster
8.2

An intimate portrait of Paul Kelly, Australia's foremost singer-songwriter. In a career spanning more than thirty years he has documented the history of our country, described its landscapes and cities, and captured the lives and loves of its citizens. Kelly has written over 350 songs, penned lyrics for many other singers, co-authored songs and written for film. But like all great artists Paul Kelly is both candid and reserved. He has lived in the public eye but has remained an enigma.

Paul Kelly: Stories of Me

2012

Life After the Oasis poster
6.0

In 2008, feature documentary, The Oasis, shocked Australia with its gritty insight into the lives of homeless teens at a notorious youth refuge in inner city Sydney. An outpouring of social and political goodwill followed, with the then Prime Minister pledging to halve homelessness by 2020. A decade later, with social inequality and homelessness worse than ever, the original participants reflect on where their lives have taken them.

Life After the Oasis

2019