Runway's 2025 in-context video model that transforms, edits, and generates video with unprecedented control. From changing environments to adding VFX, Aleph redefined what was possible.
Released July 25, 2025 — part of Runway's next-generation Gen-4 series
Edit existing footage with comprehensive transformations—add, remove, and modify objects, change lighting, and generate new angles, all while preserving context.
Perform a wide range of editing tasks in a single model—from environment changes to VFX additions, style modifications to object transformations.
Generate new angles and shots of an existing scene, such as a reverse or wide shot, from a single clip.
Work with Aleph through natural language prompts in Chat Mode, making complex post-production changes accessible through simple conversation.
Runway Gen-4 Aleph, released on July 25, 2025, was a groundbreaking advancement in AI video editing technology. As part of Runway's next-generation Gen-4 series, Aleph is specifically designed as an in-context video model that set a new frontier for multi-task visual generation. Unlike traditional video generation models, Aleph specializes in editing and transforming existing footage with unprecedented precision and creative control.
Built on Runway's cutting-edge AI research, Aleph enables creators to perform comprehensive video transformations that would traditionally require complex VFX workflows, masking, and keyframes. From changing environments and seasons to adding cinematic effects and generating new camera angles, Aleph makes professional-grade video editing accessible through simple text prompts. The model excels at preserving fine details while making dramatic changes, offering a new way to edit, transform, and generate video content. Runway succeeded Gen-4 Aleph with Aleph 2.0 on May 21, 2026, which edits clips up to 30 seconds at 1080p, and retired gen4_aleph from its API on July 30, 2026.
Transform ordinary footage into professional-grade visual effects by changing environments, locations, seasons, and time of day. Add rain, snow, fog, or completely reimagine the setting. Highlights include weather effects (rain, sandstorm, snow), location changes (city, desert, forest), and seasonal transformations.
Add, remove, replace, or transform objects within your footage with precision. Edit specific subjects, objects, or environments without affecting the rest of the scene. Supports object addition and removal, subject replacement, and selective editing.
Generate new camera angles and perspectives of existing scenes. Create coverage shots, reverse angles, and alternative viewpoints from a single piece of footage. Enables new camera angles, reverse perspectives, and coverage generation.
Modify lighting sources, change the overall style, and apply artistic transformations. Re-light scenes, apply filters, or completely restyle your footage with reference images. Covers re-lighting with reference images, style transfer and filters, and color grading and mood changes.
Add professional visual effects to your footage without complex VFX software. Create effects that seamlessly integrate with live action, animated, and existing VFX content. Delivers fast, controllable VFX generation, seamless integration with footage, and requires no masking or keyframes.
Use reference images to guide transformations. Influence color palettes, lighting setups, styles, and more by providing visual examples alongside your video input. Works with color and style references, lighting guidance, and visual example-based editing.
| Maximum Duration | 5 seconds |
|---|---|
| Resolution Handling | Auto-crop to supported |
| Default Input | First 5 seconds |
| Output resolution | 720p (4K via Runway's separate Upscale tool) |
| Model Name | Gen-4 Aleph |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 25, 2025 |
| Model Type | In-Context Video |
| Primary Use | Video-to-Video Editing |
| Object Editing | Yes |
|---|---|
| Environment Change | Yes |
| Angle Generation | Yes |
| Reference Images | Yes |
Generate coverage shots, create alternative angles, and add professional VFX to existing footage. Perfect for indie filmmakers and production studios looking to expand creative possibilities.
Eliminate the need for complex masking, rotoscoping, and keyframing. Add weather effects, change environments, and create seamless VFX integrations with simple text prompts.
Quickly adapt existing footage for different markets, seasons, or campaigns. Change locations, add products, or modify environments to create multiple variations from a single shoot.
Transform performance footage with creative environments, stylistic effects, and visual transformations. Create surreal, artistic videos without expensive set design or location scouting.
Enhance social media content, YouTube videos, and online courses with professional-looking effects. Add cinematic flair, change backgrounds, or create eye-catching transformations.
Quickly adapt archival footage, create alternative versions of scenes, or add production value to existing content. Perfect for documentaries, news, and streaming platforms.
Gen-4 Aleph was limited to 5-second video segments per generation. Longer videos required multiple generations and careful stitching, which could affect continuity across segments. Its successor, Aleph 2.0, edits clips up to 30 seconds.
While reference images can guide color, style, and lighting, subjects and objects from reference images may not maintain perfect consistency. Elements requiring strict consistency should be included in the input video.
Extremely complex scenes with multiple subjects, intricate movements, and detailed backgrounds may show reduced accuracy in transformations. Simpler scenes generally yield better results.
Achieving the perfect result often requires multiple iterations and prompt refinements. The conversational workflow helps, but complex edits may need several attempts to match your vision precisely.
Gen-4 Aleph has been retired. Try SharkFoto's Video to Video tool, powered by Seedance 2.5, to restyle and transform your footage with simple prompts.
Try Runway Gen-4 Aleph now