Instagram has unveiled a new editing feature called ‘First Draft’ designed to streamline Reels creation by automatically trimming selected video clips and removing pauses to produce an initial cut in under 10 seconds. The rollout was announced in a Threads post on Tuesday, the same day Instagram head Adam Mosseri is expected to testify in Meta’s high-profile social media addiction trial.

Key Facts About First Draft

First Draft aims to save creators significant editing time and make video creation more accessible to those with limited editing software experience. Creators can start with an automatically assembled draft and refine it manually.

• The feature is initially rolling out on iPhone.
• Users can access First Draft directly from Instagram’s camera while recording or from the Reels gallery after selecting multiple clips.
• Similar automated editing tools already exist in products such as Adobe Firefly’s Quick Cuts and CapCut’s Auto Cut.

How First Draft Works

When a creator selects multiple clips, First Draft automatically trims them and removes pauses to create a rough cut. This first pass can be generated in under 10 seconds, giving creators a starting point they can then refine manually. The feature is designed to reduce the time and effort required to produce a Reel.

Why This Matters for Creators

Instagram’s decision to build the First Draft functionality directly into its own app gives creators less reason to move footage to a separate editor. This integration could make Instagram a more self-sufficient platform for video creation, particularly for those who lack experience with professional editing software.

Other Recent Instagram Creator Tools

Instagram has introduced several creator tools this year, including a ‘Replace Audio’ tool that lets users swap music on existing feed posts and carousels without deleting and re-uploading them. The platform is also working on launching a new AI assistant in its video-editing app Edits, and has been testing ‘Series’, which lets creators group related Reels together so viewers can watch them in a specific order.

Context of the Announcement

The First Draft announcement was made on the same day that Instagram head Adam Mosseri is expected to testify in Meta’s high-profile social media addiction trial. The lawsuit accuses Meta of designing Instagram and Facebook in ways that encouraged children to use the platforms compulsively while failing to address potential harms. Meta has rejected these allegations.

Comparison with Existing Tools

This table shows how Instagram’s new feature compares to existing automated editing tools, though the direct integration into the app is a key differentiator.