Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Elizabeth Yu Stars in Year One Trailer, Release Date Set

ComingSoon is debuting an exclusive trailer for Year One, a coming-of-age drama about a college freshman who’s struggling to find her place in her new environment. Freestyle Digital Media has officially acquired the distribution rights to the movie, which will be led by Avatar: The Last Airbender star Elizabeth Yu.

“In the film, Ruby’s freshman year of college does not go as planned. Despite her best efforts, she struggles to make friends other than her complicated roommate, Selene. But Selene bears problems of her own when her severe anxiety and inability to care for herself seep into Ruby’s everyday life,” reads the official synopsis. “Soon, Ruby finds herself in a downward spiral, marked by dreams and the appearance of a glamorous alter ego, who begins to live the life that Ruby thinks she is expected to have.”

Check out the exclusive Year One trailer below (watch more trailers):

When is the release date for Year One?

Year One will be available to rent or own on North American digital HD internet, DVD, cable, and satellite platforms, starting on November 4, 2025. The cast also includes Emma Raimi as Selene, Maya Schnake as Margot, Taylor Kinkead as Becca, Billy Chengary as Sam, Tatsumi Romano as Brianna, and Ryder McDaniel as Garth.

The movie is written and directed by Lauren Loesberg, who is also serving as an executive producer. This marks the feature-length directorial debut of Loesberg. It is produced by Imani Davis, Dasha Gordon, and Julia Relova. Before its release, the film premiered in competition at the 2024 Bentonville Film Festival.

“Year One is a deeply personal story inspired by my own experience with mental health in college,” Loesberg said in a statement. “While I was struggling alone at the time, it quickly became clear how common and prevalent it is among young adults, especially within our American university culture. I hope that this film can change the conversation around mental health, destigmatize seeking help, and serve as a reminder that sometimes in order to help others, you need to put yourself first.”