Film Classification

Ivan Bailey-Wilson

BBFC

• The BBFC is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom

• It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010

Video Recordings Act 2010

• The provisions of the Act, which related to video classification and distribution in the United Kingdom, were unenforceable until the EC had been correctly notified of the technical standards

• As of 30 July 2012, and with a few limited exceptions, the responsibility for rating video games has shifted to the Video Standards Council, applying the PEGI system. The BBFC continues to rate all games featuring strong pornographic (R18)

Classification: U• The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for

audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

• At U we only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’).

• Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.

• Violence will generally be very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring

Classification: PG• PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general

viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

• A PG film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG works can explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism

• There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) in a PG film, but the context and delivery are always important. For example, if the language is used aggressively or if there is a great deal of bad language, a work may be passed at a higher category

• Violence will usually be mild.

Classification: 12 and 12A• Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is

not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFC insight for that film in advance.

• The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.

• At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Classification: 15• No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a

‘15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

• At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. ‘f***’).

• Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.

• At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category.

• At 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Classification: 18• Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film

at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children

• There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.

• There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

• At 18 violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. There may even be dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence.

Classification: R18• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily

for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.

• R18 titles are filtered out from the main public search as they can have explicit and/or offensive titles. Details of R18 works will only appear if you 'enable adult content' using the advanced search option.