Instagram announced in August 2026 the rollout of a new Reels-editing feature called First Draft, which automatically trims video clips to focus on the most important moments. The feature is currently available on Instagram’s iPhone app.
First Draft works by analyzing multiple clips selected by the user — each of which can be more than a minute long — and trimming out pauses while highlighting key segments. It then combines those trimmed snippets into a single reel that is ready for further editing and sharing. Instagram describes the result as a “starting point” that users can build upon with additional edits.
According to Instagram, the feature is suited for multi-clip montages, talking-head videos, and day-in-the-life content. Users can access First Draft by opening the Instagram camera app, filming a video, and tapping the First Draft button. It is also accessible from the Reels gallery after selecting more than one clip.
Instagram did not specify whether First Draft uses artificial intelligence to process and trim clips. The Verge contacted Instagram for more information but had not received a response at the time of publication. The feature draws a comparison to Adobe’s AI-powered Quick Cut tool, which automatically combines clips based on a prompt, though the two approaches may differ in implementation.
For regular Reels creators, First Draft could reduce the time spent on manual trimming and clip selection, offering an automated starting point before any custom edits are applied.
Source: The Verge