Instagram might soon permit the posting of videos that run for up to an hour. This would be a big increase. Currently, Instagram Video RunTime is limited to 15 seconds for Instagram Stories and 60 seconds in the main feed. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, videos will be vertical rather than in the landscape or wide format.

If the plan goes forward, there may not be an improvement in quality. There’s plenty of evidence that short-form videos mobile-shot are more likely to be watchable than longer videos. This is why almost all smartphone film festivals limit entries to 10 minutes or less.

Regarding vertical vs. horizontal shooting, MobileMovieMaking has previously posted an article on this contentious issue.  We continue to maintain that there are far more advantages in shooting wide (landscape) than tall. But we are prepared to admit that— like the debate between iOS and Android—this war may never end.

For more details about the possible extension of Instagram Video Runtime, see Benjamin Mullin’s article in the Wall Street Journal.