Film Editor

Distant Moon; Leesburg (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Distant Moon seeks a Film Editor to shape documentary, commercial, and narrative projects from assembly through final delivery in our Leesburg studio. This role emphasizes strong storytelling instincts, solid technical ability, and collaboration with directors and post-production leadership.

We value high-quality editorial work and creative judgment over checklist-style résumés. In-person collaboration, organized project management, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines are essential to

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, narrative, or related content environments.
• Portfolio or reel demonstrating strong storytelling instincts, pacing, structure, and creative judgment.
• Strong working knowledge of Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Ability to take feedback well, adapt quickly, and collaborate effectively within a post-production team.
• Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Self-directed with strong attention to detail and follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Edit projects through all stages of post-production, from assembly through final delivery.
• Collaborate closely with directors and post-production leadership to shape story, pacing, tone, and structure.
• Organize, sync, label, and manage footage and project assets.
• Build rough cuts, fine cuts, and polished client-facing edits.
• Handle basic temp sound design, music editing, and supporting audio work during editorial process.
• Source archival footage, music, and supporting media assets when needed.
• Prepare projects for color, sound, VFX, and final delivery.
• Upload and manage review versions through Frame.io.
• Maintain organized project files suitable for collaboration and archival.
• Track project tasks and time through internal workflow systems.

Skills

Storytelling instincts

Premiere Pro

Adobe Creative Cloud

Collaboration

Organization

Attention to detail

Tools

Premiere Pro

After Effects

Frame.io

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Distant Moon — Film Editor | Leesburg, VA

Distant Moon is an award-winning production company seeking a Film Editor to help shape documentary, commercial, and narrative projects from assembly through final delivery.

This role is for an editor with strong storytelling instincts, solid technical ability, and a good sense of pacing, structure, and tone. We're looking for someone who can take creative direction, collaborate well with directors and post-production leadership, and consistently produce polished editorial work across a range of projects.

We care far more about the quality of an editor's work, storytelling instincts, and creative judgment than checking every box on a résumé.

What You'll Do

• Edit projects through all stages of post-production, from assembly through final delivery
• Collaborate closely with directors and post-production leadership to shape story, pacing, tone, and structure
• Organize, sync, label, and manage footage and project assets
• Build rough cuts, fine cuts, and polished client-facing edits
• Handle basic temp sound design, music editing, and supporting audio work during editorial process
• Source archival footage, music, and supporting media assets when needed
• Prepare projects for color, sound, VFX, and final delivery
• Upload and manage review versions through Frame.io
• Maintain organized project files suitable for collaboration and archival
• Track project tasks and time through internal workflow systems

What We're Looking For

• Approximately 3–5+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, narrative, or related content environments
• A portfolio or reel demonstrating strong storytelling instincts, pacing, structure, and creative judgment
• Strong working knowledge of Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Ability to take feedback well, adapt quickly, and collaborate effectively within a post-production team
• Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Self-directed with strong attention to detail and follow-through

Exceptional portfolios and demonstrated storytelling ability may be considered in place of traditional experience requirements.

Bonus Experience

• After Effects or motion graphics experience
• Color workflow familiarity
• On-set production experience
• Interest in long-form narrative filmmaking

Work Environment

Distant Moon operates from a purpose-built creative studio in Leesburg, Virginia designed specifically for filmmakers, editors, and storytellers. Our workspace was intentionally built to support collaboration, focused editorial work, production planning, and creative development across all stages of filmmaking.

This is an in-person role working alongside directors, editors, producers, and creatives in a highly collaborative studio environment. The space includes dedicated edit suites, production areas, collaborative workspaces, and creative gathering spaces designed to support both focused work and team collaboration.

While much of the role involves desk-based editorial work, team members may occasionally assist with production-related activities, equipment movement, or on-set support as needed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.