A method, to navigate a video editing project within a video editing application, includes storing a project timeline comprising a plurality of media content items arranged in a chronological sequence, the project timeline having a start time and an end time; causing presentation of a first tool interface, the first tool interface comprising: a video editing canvas for playback of the project timeline; a plurality of tools to enable respective video editing functions; and a plurality of indicia representing the respective plurality of media content items; detecting activation of a first indicium associated with a first media content item of the plurality of media content items; and advancing the playback of the project timeline to a chronological location corresponding to the location of the first media content item within the project timeline.