Introduction The art of editing forms the most important part of the post-production part of filmmaking. It is the work of film editors to select and possibly combine numerous shots that eventually form a complete motion picture. The art of film editing is very unique in filmmaking and cinema. More often than not, it is editing that helps in separating other earlier art forms like photography, directing, theatre, and dance from filmmaking. When film editing is well done, the film viewer becomes so engrossed in the film that the work of the editor is usually forgotten (Giannetti, 2008). Film editors, therefore, have a huge task of ensuring that their films appeal to the viewers. This is the only way to make sure that they remain relevant, especially in today’s world of fierce competition in all sectors, the film industry included. History of editing The earliest form of film editing was done using a positive copy of a film’s negative called a film workprint. The process involved cutting and pasting pieces of film together by the use of a splicer. Threading the film on a machine using a viewer (movila) then followed. Currently, film editing is all digital and completely bypasses the positive workprint, a very essential element in ancient film making. In the early years of its invention, the use of the film’s positive allowed the film editor to perform as much experimenting as he wished with no caution (Dmytryk, 1984). Editing to other filmmaking techniques In film editing, it is the work of the film editor to assemble its footage, although editing also encompasses assembling film pieces, cutting off film slates, and editing scenes, especially those with dialogue. Film editors must be able to link other forms of art such as stories, dialogue, music, and images with editing. He or she should also be in a position to place the performance of actors to rewrite the film so as to create a cohesive whole (Chandler, 2009). Importance of editing in film development Film editing can create sensually provocative montages, and become a laboratory for experimental data and bring out the emotional truth in an actor’s performance. Early techniques of editing have made it possible for modern film producers to bypass negative cutting (Dmytryk, 1984). The earliest forms of editing have led to the technologically advanced filmmaking industry. Usage of film to create meaning Meaning creation in the film was introduced by the use of montage. Montage is a French term that means “to mount or to assemble together” pieces or shots to form a story in the form of a film. Editing a film is like building a house; shot by shot the building is made. Montage has been able to achieve its mission owing to the fact that most viewers infer meaning based on the context. Film editing should be in a position to create some meaning through the use of shots edited to help in making narratives. These shots are very essential in the advancement of a story as opposed to merely creating a symbolic meaning. Normally, film editors incorporate a background song in their film to help in enhancing the mood among its potential viewers and possibly underline the information being passed across (Giannetti, 2008). The background music further plays a big role in impro