WILMINGTON, DE — A scrappy, ultra-low-budget mockumentary filmed almost entirely in Delaware is stepping into the spotlight as The Conspiracists makes its world premiere January 8 at Wilmington’s historic Grand Opera House, marking a rare hometown triumph for independent filmmaking in the First State.
The feature-length comedy, directed by Michael Perrie Jr. and produced by Uncultured Swine and Wilmington-based King Creative, was shot in just 11 days on a $250,000 budget and will debut on Amazon Prime and Verizon Fios the following day. Organizers say the premiere will bring cast, crew, and film fans together on the red carpet to celebrate a project built on local talent, local locations, and an ambitious leap of faith.
The Conspiracists follows siblings Daisy and Eric Sureloc, played by Broadway actress Terrie Lynne and Christopher Murray, as they attempt to organize the world’s first all-inclusive conspiracy theory convention. As the event unravels, the story blends satire and social commentary, poking fun at internet-fueled paranoia while exploring a deeper hunger for belonging and community.
Executive producers Beatriz Naranjo and Delaware native Edward Layfield, founders of the New York-based production hub Uncultured Swine, said the film grew out of long-standing friendships and a shared desire to tell a unique story on an unforgiving timeline. The project marks their feature film debut as producers.
Perrie Jr., who co-wrote the script with his wife, Lacy Reily, said the idea emerged from watching conspiracy culture explode online amid political and social uncertainty. He said the film aims to make audiences laugh while also reflecting on why such movements resonate.
A key partner in bringing the production to Delaware was Christopher Robert Bruce, the founder of King Creative, who served as an executive producer and housed the entire production operation at his Market Street studio. Bruce said the project was an opportunity to prove that a feature film of national reach could be made in Delaware with the right preparation and local support.
Twelve of the film’s 13 locations were shot in Delaware, showcasing landmarks such as the Hotel du Pont and the Grand Opera House, along with neighborhood businesses including the Siegel JCC, Precious Paws, Delaware Tire Center, and Captain Blue Hen Comics. Most of the cast and crew also have Delaware ties, a point producers say was central to the film’s identity.
Cost savings came from a combination of state tax incentives, crowdfunding, private investment, and a production team that wore multiple hats. Several producers took on additional roles ranging from wardrobe design and transportation to assistant directing, animal training, and post-production supervision. Bruce also collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer Herb Middleton and vocalist Jacci McGhee on an original song featured in the film’s opening and closing credits.
The premiere screening is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, January 8, at the Grand Opera House, with a filmmaker and cast Q&A to follow. A red carpet and VIP reception will begin at 6 p.m.
Distributor Buffalo 8 will release The Conspiracists digitally on January 9, giving the Delaware-made film a national audience one day after its hometown debut.
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