A Guide To Free Video Editing & Filmmaking Software

Can't beat those prices

The barrier to entry for filmmakers and TV makers and video makers keeps getting lower and lower but you can't get much lower than this.

Here then, a list of absolutely free video editing software.

It's not FCP (which we love) but it's a great way to get started.. for no cost.

Lightworks

PC (MAC and LINUX compatibility due late 2011)
An incredibly powerful editing package that is head and shouldes above all other freebie editing packages.  Lightworks has features that even some of the big packages don't have without the addition of expensive plugins.  With a strong community supporting it, this is only going to get better.
Get it here

HyperEngine-AV - Equivalent to Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro

MAC/PC
A decent editing package.  A step up from the likes of imovie though still not up to the professional standards of the pricey packages.  For simple edits though, you could do a lot worse.
Get it here

Avidemux

MAC/PC/LINUX
One of the best free editing packages out there.  Avidemux allows you to do basic cutting, apply filters and work with a wide variety of different file types.  It gets better with each release.
Get it here

windows movie maker, pinnacle videospin

PC
These lightweight freebie editors should not be overlooked entirely.  For quick edits and changes there's no need for the big guns.
Get Windows Movie Maker
Get Pinnacle Videospin

Avid Free DV

MAC
This was a great idea but has sadly been discontinued by Avid.  Avid Free DV is a free version of their high end editing software, preserving the interface but removing many of the advanced features.  Great for simple editing whilst also learning your way around Avid.  Copies are still floating around online, though now it's unsupported it is just going to get more out of date with time.  Get it while it's still useful.
Get it here

MPEG Streamclip

MAC/PC
Another powerful, professional encoding and conversion tool.  It accepts even the most obscure video formats and can even download YouTube videos.
Get it here

ffmpeg

MAC/PC/LINUX
A powerful encoding tool that can read and convert just about any video file format.
Get it here

This fantastic information comes to us through RAINDANCE, who I have never heard of, so as usual, caveat emptor, but it looks pretty good at first glance. If you try some of this, lemme know how it works out,