TAXING SITUATION
As a long-time resident of the Philippines and a passionate lover of cinema, I find myself at a crossroads with the recent announcement about the 12% value-added tax on overseas digital service providers. On one hand, as a citizen who values fairness and equality, I understand the need for local businesses and international platforms to contribute their fair share to our country’s growth. However, as a Netflix enthusiast who has enjoyed countless hours of entertainment from HBO, Disney, and other streaming giants, I can’t help but feel a twinge of apprehension.
Starting next month, the Philippines will implement a 12% value-added tax on digital service providers based overseas who offer their services within the country. Companies such as Netflix, HBO, and Disney are among those affected by this new measure. On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially signed this law into effect.
Marcos stated in his speech at the signing ceremony that since you’re enjoying the benefits of a thriving digital economy, it’s fair that you participate in its development as well. He also mentioned that the upcoming law aims to equalize the taxes paid by local businesses and international digital companies,” (paraphrased from Bloomberg’s reporting).
The recently enacted legislation applies to various digital domains such as search engines, media outlets, advertising platforms, marketplaces for goods, cloud services, and more. This tax is projected to yield approximately 79.5 billion pesos ($1.4 billion) in revenue over the next four years, according to the nation’s finance department.
JURY HEAD
Renowned Chinese independent filmmaker Jia Zhangke (“Caught by the Tides,” “Ash Is Purest White”) has been appointed as the chief judge for the upcoming Asian International Film Festival in Vesoul, France next year. The festival will feature a collection of Jia’s films in a retrospective, as well as two seasons of movies from Hong Kong and Myanmar. The event is scheduled to take place from February 11-18, 2025.
CONVERSION THERAPY
The teaser for Snigdha Kapoor’s short film titled “Holy Curse” is out now, giving a sneak peek into its investigation of concealed methods of conversion therapy prevalent in Indian society. This film will first be screened at the 68th BFI London Film Festival before making its North American debut at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying event, and later premiering in Asia at the 21st MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
The movie traces the journey of 11-year-old Radha, a newcomer in America, who encounters traditional rituals during a trip to India with her family. The narrative delves into Radha’s battle with self-identity regarding gender, set against familial values and societal norms, offering insights into cultural practices that seem to operate as a form of conversion therapy.
This coming-of-age story features newcomer Mrunal Kashid working alongside Adithi Kalkunthe (known for “Monkey Man”), the rising star Shardul Bhardwaj (“The Scavenger of Dreams”) from BAFTA, Anup Soni (“Crime Patrol”) and Prayrak Mehta (“Ziddi Girls”). The production is a joint effort between Neeraj Churi and Shweta Bolakani.
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2024-10-03 10:16