Universal Pictures, the studio arm of NBC Universal, has bought a stake in a leading Italian film production company in a move that affirms Hollywood’s increasing interest in international cinema markets.

The studio behind Mamma Mia!, one of last year’s biggest box office hits, has acquired a minority stake in Cattleya, which produced Franco Zeffirelli’s Tea with Mussolini and the Oscar-nominated La Bestia nel Cuore (Don’t Tell). The price was not disclosed.