BBFC Research

The BBFC stands for the ‘British Board Of Film Classification’ and is an independent body existing since 1912 to classify films. In more detail this board watches films and based on the content in them will make a decision on what age it is suitable to watch at meaning younger ages will not be able to purchase or watch the film at the cinema.  Every film goes through this criteria and has to be assessed by at least two examiners to finalise an agreement on the certificate of a film. Aspects that examiners will look out for are: nudity, language, discrimination, sexual scenes, drugs, violence and horror. However many points are taken into consideration when a film is being given a certificate such as the storyline and what the films intentions are, if they happen to be for educational purposes the film will be giver a lower certificate.

There are seven types of classification certificates:

Universal

Films with a universal rating are classed as suitable for all audiences aged 4 years and over. The content in these films should be positive and moral, reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Discrimination	May only be used when clearly disapproved of.
Drugs	Can only be used when infrequent and innocuous with a clear anti-drug educational purpose.
Horror	Have to be mild and brief with a reassuring outcome.
Imitable Behaviour	No potentially dangerous behaviour easy for children to imitate.
Language	Must be mild and infrequent.
Nudity	Natural nudity with no sexual content.
Sex	Mild sexual behaviour such as kissing and references to ‘making love’.
Theme	The theme must be sensitive and appropriate for children.
Violence	Mild violence only with occasional mild threat or menace.

Parental Guidance

Films with a PG rating are classed as generally suitable for young children not including a few scenes. PG films are considered suitable for children above the age of eight and children below are still aloud to watch the film as long as accompanied by an adult; as it is due to them to make a decision whether the content may upset or disturb the child. 

Discrimination	May only be used when clearly disapproved of or in an educational/historic context.
Drugs	Can only be used when infrequent and innocuous with a clear anti-drug educational purpose.
Horror	Must not be intense of prolonged, fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Imitable Behaviour	No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour easy for children to imitate.
Language	Mild bad language only.
Nudity	Natural nudity with no sexual content.
Sex	Sexual activity can be implied but must be discreet and infrequent.
Theme	If more serious issues are featured they must condone unacceptable behaviour.
Violence	Moderate violence without detail if justified by its context.

12A/12

Films with a 12/12A rating are classified as generally suitable for those aged 12 and over. These films may contain content that parents find unsuitable for children or contain content that may upset children under the age of 12. The 12A classification certificate only exists for cinema films and enables people under the age of 12 to view the film providing they are accompanied by an adult that is taking responsibility to make the decision whether the film is suitable for the child. 

Discrimination	Not to be endorsed on, and must not be aggressive unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational/historic context.
Drugs	Can only be used when infrequent and must not be glamorised of give detail.
Horror	Moderate physical and psychological threat may be included providing scenes are not sustained.
Imitable Behaviour	Dangerous behaviour must not be shown in detail which could be copied.
Language	Moderate language can be used, and use of strong language must be infrequent.
Nudity	Nudity is aloud providing sexual content is discreet and brief.
Sex	Sexual activity must be brief and should not go among what is suitable for young teenagers.
Theme	Mature themes may be used providing acceptable for young teenagers.
Violence	Moderate violence without detail and only occasional gore is acceptable. Sexual violence must be brief with a contextual justification.

15

Films with a 15 rating are classified as suitable for 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 may rent, purchase, or view a 15 rated film in a cinema.

Discrimination	Must not endorse on discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs	Must not promote or encourage drug misuse. And must not dwell on easily accessible substances.
Horror	Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable Behaviour	Dangerous behaviour must not dwell on detail.
Language	Strong language can be used however aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language will not be acceptable.
Nudity	Nudity is aloud in a sexual context but without strong detail.
Sex	Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
Theme	No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 years old.
Violence	May be strong but shouldn’t dwell on the infliction of pain or the strongest of gory images.

18

Films with a 18 rating are classified as suitable for 18 years and over. No one younger than 18 may rent, purchase or view a 18 rated film in a cinema.

18 films don’t hold many restrictions due to the findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998 stating within the lines that an adult should be free to choose their own entertainment.

Exceptions can occur when:

• ·         The material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the    commission of a criminal offence.
• ·         When material may cause harm to individuals behaviour or society.
• ·         Where the most explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.

R18

Films with a R18 rating are to be shown only in specially licensed cinemas or only supplied in only licensed sex shops and must not be shown or purchased by anyone younger than 18.

R18 rating is a category for legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.

The material is not acceptable when:

• ·         Material is in breach of the criminal law.
• ·         Material is likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity.
• ·         The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent.
• ·         The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm.
• ·         Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm.
• ·         Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role- playing game.