A method for using an alternate frame reference (ARF) includes selecting an anchor frame and video frames, where the anchor frame includes an anchor block, and the anchor block includes an anchor pixel; identifying, for the anchor block of the anchor frame, respective reference blocks in the video frames; determining, for the anchor pixel and using an anchor patch, respective distances between the anchor pixel and respective co-located reference pixels of the respective reference blocks, where the anchor patch includes anchor patch pixels, and a respective distance, of the respective distances, between the anchor pixel and a respective co-located reference pixel is determined using the anchor patch pixels and co-located reference pixels; determining, using the respective distances, respective weights; determining, using the respective weights, an ARF pixel that is co-located with the anchor pixel; and encoding, in a compressed bitstream, the ARF.