<P> The film began development in 2007, when producers Peter Spears and Howard Rosenman optioned the screen rights to Aciman's novel . Ivory served as the screenwriter and co-producer; he was initially set to co-direct the film but stepped down in 2016 . Guadagnino joined the project as a location consultant and eventually became director and co-producer . The film was financed by several international companies . Principal photography mainly took place in Crema, Italy in May and June 2016 . The filmmakers spent weeks before production decorating the Villa Albergoni, one of the main filming locations . Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom shot the film on 35 mm film . Guadagnino curated the selection for the film's soundtrack, which features three original songs by Sufjan Stevens . </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 gained accolades for its screenplay, direction, acting, and music . At the 90th Academy Awards, it received four nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Adapted Screenplay . Ivory also 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 . A sequel to the film was announced in January 2018 . </P> <P> It is the summer of 1983 . Elio, a 17 - year - old Jewish - American youth, lives with his parents in rural Northern Italy . Elio's father, a professor of archaeology, invites a 24 - year - old Jewish - American graduate student, Oliver, to live with the family over the summer and help with his academic paperwork . Elio, an introspective bibliophile and a talented musician, 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 . Elio spends much of the summer reading, playing piano, and hanging out with his girlfriend, Marzia . Meanwhile, Oliver expresses attraction for one of the local girls, much to Elio's annoyance . </P> <P> Elio and Oliver 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 indirectly 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 is call me by your name based