<P> The film began development in 2007 when producers Peter Spears and Howard Rosenman optioned the screen rights to Aciman's novel . James Ivory was initially set to co-direct the film but became the screenwriter and co-producer . Guadagnino joined the project as a location consultant and eventually became director and co-producer . The film was financed by several international companies, and principal photography mainly took place in Crema, Italy, in May and June 2016 . Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom shot the film on 35 - mm film . </P> <P> Call Me by Your Name was chosen for distribution by Sony Pictures Classics before its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017 . It began a limited release in the United States on November 24, 2017, and went to general release on January 19, 2018 . The film received numerous accolades and praise for its performances, screenplay, direction, and music . At the 90th Academy Awards it won the category Best Adapted Screenplay and was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chalamet), and Best Original Song ("Mystery of Love"). Ivory won awards for his screenplay at the 23rd Critics' Choice Awards, the 70th Writers Guild of America Awards, and the 71st British Academy Film Awards . Chalamet was nominated for a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor . </P> <P> Elio, a 17 - year - old Jewish - American - Italian youth, lives with his parents in rural Northern Italy . His father, a professor of archaeology, invites a 24 - year - old Jewish - American graduate student, Oliver, to live with him and his family over the summer and help with his academic paperwork . Elio, an introspective bibliophile and musical prodigy, initially finds little in common with Oliver, who has a contrastingly carefree and exuberant personality . Elio resents having to give up his bedroom for Oliver for the duration of his stay . He spends much of the summer reading, playing piano, and hanging out with his girlfriend, Marzia . Oliver is meanwhile attracted to one of the local girls, much to Elio's annoyance . </P> <P> Elio and Oliver begin a seductive courtship: they swim together, go for long walks into town, and accompany Elio's father on an archaeological trip . Elio begins a sexual relationship with Marzia and brags about it in front of Oliver to gauge his reaction, but nonetheless finds himself increasingly attracted to Oliver . He sneaks into Oliver's room to smell his bathing suit, and thinks about him while masturbating . During a trip to the post office, Elio confesses his feelings to Oliver, who tells him he should not act on them . Later that day, Elio and Oliver kiss, but Oliver is reluctant to go any further . The two grow distant . </P>

Where does call.me by your name take place