He 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.

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

[5] Darling's first documentary in 2001 Woodstock for Capitalists[6] was a film featuring investors and philanthropists Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger and won the CINE Golden Eagle Award.

[9] The Oasis became the inspiration to Darling filming two docu-dramas Polly and Me (a tale of child abuse and neglect, seen through the eyes of an 8-year-old girl), and Wall Boy (about a runaway forced into teenage prostitution and the courageous outreach worker who attempts to rescue him).

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 play toured to the Adelaide Fringe Festival (one of only a handful of performances originating outside of South Australia during the pandemic) and then Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

[19] He has been a member of the advisory board of The Salvation Army[20] and Chair of The Oasis Youth Support Network, and a Director of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

[22][23] In 2018 Ian Darling was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for "distinguished service to documentary film production, to the performing arts, education and community engagement, and to social welfare organisations through philanthropic endeavours".

[24] 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 (AACTA).

[citation needed] Darling holds an MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, a BA from the Australian National University and has studied at the New York Film Academy.

[32] Supported documentaries include: That Sugar Film, Frackman, Gayby Baby, Zach's Ceremony, Call Me Dad, Constance On The Edge, Blue, Happy Sad Man, The Hunting Ground, Prison Songs, The Opposition, On Richard's Side, Whiteley (about Australian artist Brett Whiteley), Guilty, 2040, Ghosthunter, Dying to Live, In My Blood It Runs, The Leadership.