AWARDS & RECOGNITION

While "Ctrl Alt Del" specifically is recognized as part of Kalayeh's transition toward mid-length and feature-length storytelling, the director has received broad acclaim for his body of work: 

Career Recognition: Kalayeh’s films have been featured at the Galway Film Fleadh, African Diaspora International Film Festival, and the Buddhist Film Festival Europe.

Wider Filmography Success:

• His recent work, Sometimes I Dream in Farsi, won Best U.S. Documentary Feature at the New York Independent Cinema Awards (2022).

• His earlier film, The Human War, received a Best Screenplay Award at the Beloit International Film Festival (2014).

Educational Impact: Kalayeh currently serves as an assistant professor of scriptwriting and film production at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where his creative research often centers on the themes found in Ctrl Alt Del.

CTRL-ALT-DEL

Director: Pirooz Kalayeh

FILM SYNOPSIS

Ctrl Alt Del follows a group of interconnected characters over the course of a single day in Los Angeles, as their personal relationships and individual struggles begin to intersect. Each character is navigating a different challenge—ranging from gender inequality and power imbalances to emotional expectations and family pressure. As the day progresses, conversations and encounters reveal tensions beneath the surface of their lives. Through these intersecting storylines, the film examines how relationships can shift suddenly when long-standing frustrations and unspoken truths come to light. By the end of the day, the characters are forced to confront the realities of their situations, leading to unexpected transformations in their relationships and perspectives.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Pirooz Kalayeh is an American filmmaker known for creating character-driven independent films that explore social issues, identity, and interpersonal dynamics. His work often blends intimate storytelling with commentary on contemporary cultural tensions. Kalayeh frequently writes and directs his own projects, allowing him to shape the narrative voice and themes of his films closely. His filmmaking style emphasises naturalistic dialogue, ensemble casts, and stories unfolding within a compressed timeframe.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

With Ctrl Alt Del, Pirooz Kalayeh explores the complexity of modern relationships and the societal pressures that shape them. The film uses a short time frame and overlapping narratives to highlight how everyday interactions can expose deeper issues related to gender roles, authority, and personal autonomy. The title itself evokes the idea of resetting systems, reflecting the emotional and social “reboots” that characters experience when confronted with uncomfortable truths.