iMovie: Cannot create new projects in external libraries

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mww1978 Author

Level 1

4 points

iMovie: Cannot create new projects in external libraries

I'm unable to create new projects in new iMovie libraries on external drives. I noticed the problem a couple of weeks ago, when I finished projects in - let's say - October library, and I wanted to set up a new November library. In any new library on any external drive imported files are blank icons, with a message "filename" is missing. Try reimporting the original source media.

I tried different external drives, I tried reinstalling iMovie, but to no avail. I also cannot find anyone with a similar problem.

Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro 13" M1 2020, iMovie 10.4.3, Tahoe 26.1

Posted on Dec 2, 2025 3:47 AM

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Answer 1

mww1978 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2025 6:00 AM in response to mww1978

Apparently reformatting external drives to Mac OS Extended solves the problem, but it used to work on ExFAT, so why take a step back?

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

24,101 points

Dec 2, 2025 7:16 AM in response to mww1978

iMovie was never designed to work with ExFAT drives or NAS drives. If it worked for you at one time with an ExFAT drive you were just plain lucky but always in danger of losing your work.

Modern versions of iMovie (since Catalina) should be using APFS drives but MacOS Extended Journaled will also work.

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