Meet MFA’s New Board Member Nominees!
Derek Brown is a host of the podcast CineMAINEia, and has been a movie-lover for as long as he can remember. His appreciation for film stems beyond the final product, finding that he enjoys digging into the process of making the movie: the stories about why a scene went one way or another; how limits in time or budget caused something extraordinary; how special effects were created and props were built. CineMAINEia is centered around interviewing those working in Maine's film and TV industry, and showcasing Maine-set and Maine-made media. In talking with Maine filmmakers, Derek has become all the more passionate about shining a light on the talent in Maine. When Derek is not podcasting or enjoying films, he is the Director of IT at Criterium Engineers in Freeport. He lives with his wife and two Golden Retrievers in Freeport.
DEREK BROWN
Patrick Kirby is a Maine based documentary filmmaker, focused on amplifying voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard. Patrick’s projects reflect stories with purpose and impact. From documenting river communities fighting for clean water to preserving the experiences of veterans, from highlighting innovative conservation solutions to showcasing local initiatives making a difference. Patrick is a true believer in the power of visual storytelling to build bridges between people and the issues that shape our world.
With over a decade of experience spanning military service, government communications, and independent filmmaking, and having worked in states across the U.S. and beyond, Patrick brings a unique perspective to the MFA Board. He has recently settled in Bowdoin with his family.
PATRICK KIRBY
Hannah Long-Higgins is an Emmy Award–winning documentary editor who combines a strong visual sensibility with rigorous journalistic standards to craft films that are both informative and emotionally resonant. Her work has been recognized by the White House News Photographers Association, NLGA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, and the Scripps Howard Journalism Awards. Most recently, Hannah was the lead editor of the Emmy Award–winning PBS FRONTLINE documentary Maui’s Deadly Firestorm. Prior to entering the film world, she spent half a decade as a BBC video journalist, covering the human stories behind U.S. headlines for a global audience. Hannah holds an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia Journalism School. In 2025, Hannah founded Poecile Productions, dedicated to bringing human stories to life across the page, timeline, and screen. Hannah is Maine-based and is passionate about strengthening Maine’s film industry as a proud member of the Maine Film Association.