Denise Richards arrived for the premi�re of the film Empire

One of the biggest Sundance sales triumphs has been the romantic comedy, Tadpole, which tells the story of a precocious teenager who is obsessed with older women.

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, but it was shot in 14 days on digital video at an estimated cost of $150,000 (�104,000).

It was sold this week at Sundance in a deal which is reported to have exceeded $5m (�3.4m).

Other films sold for around $1m (�696,000) include Personal Velocity, Thirteen Moons and Sex and Lucia.

'Risk'

Many of Hollywood's big stars are in low-budget movies being shown in Park City.

FilmFour president Paul Webster said: "Name players like Jennifer Aniston (The Good Girl) and Matt Damon (Gerry) are more and more willing to take a risk on these kinds of movies."

However there are claims that the independent spirit of the festival has been taken over by Hollywood.

Sundance was set up 20 years ago by actor Robert Redford to help publicise lower-budget films and documentaries.

David Anspaugh, who directs Mariah Carey in Wisegirls, said the feeling of Sundance is changing.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "It has become more focused on marketing rather than film-making.

Robert Redford: Founded the festival

"Money is on offer and people want to have a part of it."

In recent times big hits at Sundance have gone on to win international acclaim.

Shine and Boys Don't Cry have picked up Academy Awards and two big films from last year's festival, Memento and In The Bedroom are expected to pick up nominations in this year's Oscars.

Sundance comes to a close on Sunday.