As a young filmmaker, Munro began making social documentaries, including the Logie winning series 'TV Specials with Michael Willesee' which were screened in Prime Time on Sunday nights.

Wanting to take advantage of this unique access, while still protecting the privacy of those families facing harrowing events in their lives, the production team created a ground-breaking approach.

Munro found a judge willing to rule on a fictitious case, to be presented by practicing lawyers and dealt with by actual officials of the court.

Prejudice was screened on the Nine Network and Channel 4 UK and won the John Grierson Award for Best Docudrama, and the Silver Medal at the Houston International Film Festival.

His first children’s television production was Johnson & Friends which he co-created with Ron Saunders and John Patterson for Film Australia.

[14] The series was nominated for two International Emmy Awards[15][16] and as a result of the success of this series, Ian went on to direct just about every top Australian pre-school television program, including; Play School, Hi-5, Bananas in Pyjamas, Giggle and Hoot, Raggs, Jay's Jungle, Magical Tales, New MacDonald's Farm, Cushion Kids, Boffins and Magic Mountain.

The sell-out live Hi-5 stage show Munro directed won the first Helpman Award for Best Children’s Presentation.

Munro also turned his hand to children’s game shows, co-creating, producing and directing Lab Rats Challenge, which gained many international sales as well as screenings on three Australian TV Networks.