Darrah's 45 years of award-winning production experience have taken him to more than 140 countries worldwide, yielding more than 100 documentary, travel-adventure programs and dramatic movies to date. In addition, Darrah tours extensively throughout the U.S. presenting his dozens of recently-produced travel features to audiences at theaters and universities.
In September of 2014, Darrah was honored with a Knighthood in the Royal House of Portugal, by His Royal Highness Dom Duarte Pio, for his work in Portugal and for his many international cultural and documentary productions.
Darrah’s international shots have been aired on programs appearing on all the major television networks, including PBS, History Channel and Discovery Channel. His geo-travel lectures and features have been presented to audiences in more than 100 theaters and auditoriums across America, including venues such as the Harvard Club and the Philadelphia Geographical Society.
Recently a two-hour documentary that Darrah shot and directed in Egypt was screened at the Cairo Opera House to an audience of 3000 guests.
National Geographic represents and markets thousands of Darrah’s best international shots.
Darrah also wrote, directed and produced an acclaimed 90-minute dramatic feature film, “Monsoon Wife,” in Cambodia – the first American movie shot entirely in that SE Asian country since “Lord Jim.” Universal Studios acquired Darrah’s movie and television rights have been sold to more than 10 countries. Darrah recently co-wrote, directed and produced two movies: The 85-minute adventure-suspense drama AMAZON QUEEN, filmed entirely on-location in the Brazilian Amazon; and the thriller-romance movie AN EGYPT AFFAIR, filmed entirely in Egypt in 2022.
Darrah’s productions have screened and won top awards and nominations at more than 140 national and international film festivals from Rome to New York and Los Angeles.
As presented by his fellow travel producers and peers, Darrah recently received the Travel Adventure Cinema magazine’s Bertrand Holmes Award for best travel film showcase.
A producer at National Geographic recently said this about Marlin. “If I could trade eyeballs with anyone in the world, it would be Marlin. He has seen more of our world than anyone I have ever met, and that includes hard-core travelers at National Geographic, who are a dime a dozen. He lives the life I can only dream of.”
When not on the road, Marlin can be found in Portland, Oregon with his 22 year-old daughter, Maya, or in LA with his wife and producing partner, Lin Zuo (born in Beijing).