- FilmCraft is a free, open-source professional video editor built in Rust
- Cross-platform: runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Core workspaces: Editing, Assembly, Color, Effects, and Audio
- Familiar shortcuts: switch between FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid layouts
- Native codecs: H.264, HEVC, ProRes, VP9, AAC, and Opus supported
What Is FilmCraft?
FilmCraft is a free open-source video editor developed by the ArtCraft team and built from the ground up in Rust. It targets professional nonlinear editing, with timeline-based cutting, color grading, audio tools, captions, and native encoding under one roof. Because it is an open project under active development, features and stability continue to evolve through its public roadmap and releases.
The project organizes the editing experience into dedicated workspaces, so each stage of post-production has purpose-built controls:
| Workspace | Purpose | Typical Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Core timeline work | Cutting, trimming, clip placement |
| Assembly | Rough structure | Organizing media, sequencing clips |
| Color | Visual finishing | Color correction, look building |
| Effects | Visual treatment | Effects, transitions, GPU compositing |
| Audio | Sound work | Track levels, mixing, dialogue cleanup |
Download builds and source code from the official GitHub repository or the FilmCraft page on getartcraft.com. The brand logo is not covered by the project's open-source licenses, so avoid modifying or commercializing it without checking the license terms.
Download and Installation
FilmCraft is distributed for desktop platforms through its project channels. Pick the entry point that matches your workflow, then follow the platform-specific setup flow.
| Platform | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Desktop build from releases page | Match build to OS architecture |
| macOS | Desktop build from releases page | Standard installer flow |
| Linux | Desktop build or source build | Rust toolchain needed for source builds |
| Browser | Hosted entry on ArtCraft | No desktop package required |
Choose your platform
Decide whether you will edit on Windows, macOS, Linux, or through the browser-based entry point. Desktop users should confirm their OS version and architecture before downloading.
Download or open FilmCraft
Open the FilmCraft repository or releases page and select the build for your system. Browser users can launch the hosted entry point directly from the ArtCraft application page.
Complete setup and launch
Install the desktop package using the normal OS setup flow, then launch FilmCraft from your application menu. Verify the app can access its installation and configuration directories.
Only download from the official repository or the ArtCraft page. Third-party mirrors may serve outdated or tampered packages, and early-stage projects update frequently.
Edit Your First Video: Step-by-Step Workflow
FilmCraft follows a Premiere-style editing model: media in, sequence built, timeline refined, audio added, and final export. Complete the core workflow in order for the smoothest first project.
| Stage | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Import video, audio, images | Organized project media |
| 2 | Create sequence, place clips | Populated timeline tracks |
| 3 | Trim and refine | Clean cut with proper timing |
| 4 | Add audio and finishing | Balanced sound, titles, color |
| 5 | Export | Finished deliverable video |
Import your assets
Bring source media into the project and review each clip in the media area before placing it into the edit. Keep video, audio, and still images organized from the start.
Build the sequence
Create a sequence for the edit, then place video and audio clips on the timeline across multiple tracks. Arrange clips in story order.
Trim and refine
Use the editing tools to cut unwanted sections, adjust clip boundaries, and review the sequence during playback to tighten transitions between shots.
Add audio and finishing
Place dialogue and music on separate tracks, balance levels, then add titles, captions, effects, or color corrections once the structure is locked.
Export the result
Review the complete edit from start to finish, choose output settings, and start the export.
First Project Checklist:
- Import all source media and review clips
- Create a sequence and arrange clips
- Trim edit points and verify timing
- Balance audio tracks and add captions
- Export with settings matched to destination
Lock the edit structure before applying effects and color. Fixing story problems after heavy finishing work often means redoing both.
Keyboard Shortcuts & Layout Switching
FilmCraft includes a shortcut editor with layouts for FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid, so editors migrating from other NLEs can keep muscle memory. The most frequently used defaults cover editing, navigation, trimming, playback, and marking:
| Category | Action | Default Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Select tool | V |
| Editing | Razor / cut tool | C |
| Editing | Undo | Ctrl/Cmd + Z |
| Timeline | Zoom in / out | + / - |
| Timeline | Move playhead one frame | Left / Right Arrow |
| Trimming | Set in point | I |
| Trimming | Set out point | O |
| Playback | Play / pause | Space |
| Playback | Shuttle backward / stop / forward | J / K / L |
| Marking | Add marker | M |
| Panels | Save project | Ctrl/Cmd + S |
Switch to the Premiere Pro layout in the shortcut editor during your first session rather than relearning keys one by one. Key differences between Windows and macOS modifiers are handled by the layout system.
Supported Formats and Export Settings
Media compatibility in FilmCraft depends on both the container and the codecs inside it. Containers like MP4 and MOV organize streams, while codecs such as H.264, HEVC, and ProRes determine encoding and decoding behavior.
| Format | Type | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 / AVC | Video codec | Broad delivery, MP4 exports | Widest playback compatibility |
| HEVC / H.265 | Video codec | High-res, smaller files | Device-dependent hardware support |
| Apple ProRes | Video codec | Editing intermediates | Large files, quality-first |
| AAC | Audio codec | Delivered audio | Pairs with H.264/HEVC |
| MP4 | Container | Web and social publishing | Codec-agnostic inside |
| MOV | Container | ProRes workflows | Professional handoffs |
Match your export preset to the destination rather than always rendering at maximum quality:
YouTube and Web
- 1920 x 1080, H.264 + AAC in MP4
- Match source frame rate
- Broadest compatibility
Vertical Social
- 1080 x 1920, H.264 + AAC in MP4
- Confirm orientation before render
- Avoid letterboxing and crops
4K Delivery
- 3840 x 2160, H.264 or HEVC
- HEVC for smaller files when supported
- For large-screen playback
Local Master
- ProRes in MOV with high-quality audio
- For editing handoff and archives
- Expect very large files
If a render fails or produces an unusable file, export a short selected range first using MP4 with H.264/AAC, confirm destination drive space and permissions, and isolate any specific clip or effect that stops the render.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Start every diagnosis by classifying the issue: is it the build, the media, or the environment? Reproducing the problem with a small test project and a standard H.264/AAC MP4 file cleanly separates application defects from codec, permission, driver, and resource issues.
| Symptom | Likely Area | First Check |
|---|---|---|
| Won't install or launch | System or build | Build matches OS; clean reinstall |
| Media won't import | Codec or file access | Test file in a standard player |
| No picture or sound | Unsupported stream | Try an H.264/AAC transcode |
| Export fails | Config or storage | Short-range MP4 test export |
| Slow preview | Media complexity | Use proxies for 4K/HEVC/ProRes |
| Crashes | Defect or resources | Reproduce in minimal new project |
When reporting an issue, include the FilmCraft release, operating system, source format, the action that triggered the crash, and whether it repeats. Search the GitHub issue tracker first, and join the ArtCraft Discord for early-version discussion.
FAQ
Q: Is FilmCraft really free?
FilmCraft is free and open source, available for macOS, Windows, and Linux through its official project channels. Note that the brand logo is not part of the open-source code licenses, so check the license terms before reusing brand assets.
Q: Can I use Premiere Pro shortcuts in FilmCraft?
Yes. FilmCraft includes a shortcut editor that supports FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid keyboard layouts, letting you switch to familiar key bindings in your first session.
Q: Which export settings should I use for YouTube?
Use 1920 x 1080 H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4 container, matching your project frame rate. This configuration offers the broadest compatibility across browsers, mobile devices, and video platforms.
Q: Why won't my video file import into FilmCraft?
First test the file in a standard media player to confirm it is readable, then check both the extension and the actual codecs inside the container. Try a known-compatible MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, and move the file to a local folder with a simple path.