i imported a movie from the desktop but cannot find it in imovie

How did you import it? If you used the import window then there is a window at the top of the import window where you specify the event you want the clip to reside in. If you used drag and drop then it will be in the event you dropped it in.

Go to the iMovie Help menu and type in "Sort and Search for clips". You might find something

of help there.

There is an iMovie search function in 10.1.1, designated by a "Q", where you can type in the name of

your clip and it will be displayed in the clips pane. You have to first select Library and All Clips. Then

type in your search. On my screen, the "Q" is right underneath the Transitions button.