Video Business is reporting that First Look Studios will acquire Ventura Distribution, which distributes Viz anime titles (among others) to the video trade, for an estimated $20 million.  First Look distributes indy films, among other activities.  Ventura will continue to be run as a separate division by current management, for now, according to the report.

Ventura had been hurt by the Musicland bankruptcy (see 'Musicland $114 Million Under Water') to the tune of $5.8 million.  There's a lawsuit against Ventura by Showtime Networks for an unpaid balance of $7 million that Showtime says it's owed for product Ventura distributed but didn't pay for.