● Covered by 4 sources · 4 reportsLow impact4 neutral
Instagram launches 'First Draft' feature to automatically trim Reels video clips
Key points
- Instagram launched 'First Draft' for Reels on iPhone.
- The feature automatically trims video clips and removes pauses.
- It provides a starting point for Reels editing.
- First Draft does not use AI technology.
- Instagram announced the feature on Tuesday in a Threads post.
- The process can produce a first pass in under 10 seconds.
- Users can access it from Instagram’s camera or the Reels gallery.
- Users select clips from their Reels Gallery and tap "First Draft."
- The feature analyzes clips, trims them, and lays them out in a timeline.
- Users can edit further in the app or post to their feed or Story.
- Meta launched Edits, a standalone video editing app, in April 2025.
- First Draft is reversible, allowing users to adjust or reorder anything.
- Users can create a first draft edit immediately after filming.
New Reels Editing Feature
Instagram has rolled out a new Reels-editing feature called "First Draft" to its iPhone application. This tool automatically processes video clips, trimming them to focus on highlights and eliminate pauses, providing users with a foundational edit for their Reels.
How 'First Draft' Works
Users can select multiple clips for a Reel and then tap the "First Draft" button. The feature analyzes the selected clips, even those over a minute long, to cut out pauses and emphasize important segments. The processed snippets are then combined into a Reel ready for further editing and sharing.
Technology Behind the Feature
Despite similarities to AI-powered tools like Adobe's Quick Cut, Instagram's First Draft does not utilize artificial intelligence. This confirmation comes from Nicole Rechtszaid, Instagram's head of communications.
Availability and Use Cases
First Draft supports various content types, including multi-clip montages, talking-head videos, and day-in-the-life content. Users can access the feature by opening the camera app, filming a video, and tapping the First Draft button, or by selecting multiple clips from their Reels gallery.
Updates
- First Draft is reversible, allowing users to adjust or reorder anything.
- Users can create a first draft edit immediately after filming.
- Users select clips from their Reels Gallery and tap "First Draft."
- The feature analyzes clips, trims them, and lays them out in a timeline.
- Users can edit further in the app or post to their feed or Story.
- Meta launched Edits, a standalone video editing app, in April 2025.
- Instagram announced the feature on Tuesday in a Threads post.
- The process can produce a first pass in under 10 seconds.
- Users can access it from Instagram’s camera or the Reels gallery.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Instagram has launched a new iPhone-exclusive feature called 'First Draft' that automatically creates a Reel from selected video clips with a single tap. This feature aims to provide a starting point for video editing, allowing users to quickly trim and arrange clips before further customization.
Instagram has launched "First Draft," a new feature that automatically trims silences and pauses from video clips for Reels. This update aims to simplify the video editing process for users, allowing them to focus on creative aspects rather than manual cleanup.
Instagram rolled out "First Draft," a new editing feature that automatically trims video clips and removes pauses to create an initial cut of Reels. This feature aims to simplify video creation for users by providing an automated starting point for editing directly within the app. It matters because it integrates automated editing capabilities into Instagram, potentially reducing the need for external editing software for some creators.
Instagram has introduced "First Draft," a new Reels-editing feature for its iPhone app that automatically trims video clips by removing pauses and highlighting key parts. This feature provides a starting point for users to create Reels, simplifying the initial editing process.