CERTIFICATE RATINGS

Suitable for all ages• The “U” symbol stands for universal and should be suitable for

children aged 4 and over.• There will be no sexual behaviour in a film that is rated U but

characters may be seen kissing or cuddling.• Dangerous or anti social behaviour will not be allowed because a

child might copy.• A film that is rated U will usually have a positive message for

example loyalty, honesty and friendship.

Parental guidance

• This is suitable for everyone to watch but some scenes may be unsuitable for young viewers.

• PG films can contain issues such as bullying and racism, there can also be some bad or aggressive language.

• There will not be obvious violence but there could be some blood but we wont know how the injury was inflicted.

12 and 12A• 12 may contain material that is not generally suitable for children under

the age of 12. • There may be moderate language such as “bitch” at a 12A, any aggressive

language such as racism or homophobic language will not be allowed in a 12 film.

• There wont be any fight scenes but there could be action sequences or weapons

• Dangerous behaviour such as suicide or fighting Can be shown but not presented in a way which children are likely to copy.

15 years and over

• 15 rated film is not suitable for anyone under the age is 15. • Any of the following can be show in a film rated 15: strong

violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence.

• dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

Only suitable for adults• 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.• Some of the things that are in a film rated 18 are: very strong

violence, frequent strong language and / or very strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore.

• There may be scenes cut from an 18 film for example where the material is in breach of the criminal law.

R18

• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, R18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.