Instagram is rolling out a new Reels editing feature called First Draft that automatically trims multiple video clips and creates a shorter starting edit for users.
First Draft appears inside Instagram’s Reels editor on iPhone. Users can record videos with Instagram’s camera or choose several existing clips from their gallery, then select First Draft to create an initial cut.
Instagram analyzes the selected footage and removes sections such as long pauses or moments it considers less useful. It then combines the remaining sections into a shorter Reel that users can continue editing before publishing.
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The feature works particularly well with longer clips and formats such as day-in-the-life videos, talking-head recordings and montages made from several separate videos. Users still have control over the finished Reel and can adjust the automatically selected sections, add music, text or other effects before posting.
Instagram has not confirmed whether First Draft uses AI
First Draft performs a task similar to automatic video editing tools that use AI to identify useful moments in raw footage. However, Instagram has not confirmed whether artificial intelligence powers the new feature.
The addition gives Instagram creators another way to reduce the time spent manually cutting long videos into shorter Reels. Instagram already includes tools for arranging clips, adding audio, voiceovers, effects and saving unfinished Reels as drafts.
First Draft is currently rolling out through Instagram’s iPhone app, so availability can vary between accounts as the feature reaches more users.
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