Your not-so-friendly Buddy. Photo: Courtesy of Low Spark Films

One of the stars of last week's Sundance Film Festival was an orange, humanoid unicorn that once called Cleveland home.

State of play: "Buddy," a horror movie shot in Cleveland last summer, made its debut with a sold-out screening on the festival's opening night.

• Cleveland-based Low Spark Films produced the movie, which centers on a bloodthirsty unicorn who traps children in his 1990s TV show.

The intrigue: "Buddy" was written and directed by Casper Kelly (of "Adult Swim" fame) and stars Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace.

• To generate buzz, Low Spark brought the Buddy character to the festival, which was in its final year in Utah before its move to Boulder, Colorado.

What they're saying: "Buddy is a magnetic character," Tyler Davidson, president of Low Spark Films, tells Axios.

• "He was walking down Park City's main street, surrounded by filmgoers."

The big picture: "Buddy" was one of two Sundance films shot in Northeast Ohio, along with the romantic drama "Carousel," starring Chris Pine and Jenny Slate.

• Both have earned stellar reviews.

What's next: "Hopefully we'll be in a position to announce the film's next move," says Davidson.

• "Everyone is feeling good about getting the movie out in front of people."