Film Certification

What is film certification?

O The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) rates films before they are released.

O This prevents children from viewing unsuitable or harmful content.

O It also provides consumers with information to help them decide whether they want to watch a particular film.

How are films classified?

O Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence are considered when the BBFC makes decisions.

O The theme of the film, context, tone and likely impact is also considered.

UniversalO A “U” film is suitable for those aged 4 and above.O Very mild bad language is acceptable (e.g. hell)O There may be mild sexual references such as kissing or

cuddling or referring to “making love”. However, these references will not be overt.

O There may be brief fighting scenes, but these will be quickly resolved and outcomes will be reassuring.

O “Baddies” may carry weapons, but there will be no emphasis on them.

O Potentially dangerous behaviour that a child may imitate will not be present in a Universal film.

Themes:• Most themes are acceptable, as long as it is suitable for a

child audience.• U films are unlikely to contain discriminatory language or

behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of.• There will not usually be references to drugs, unless a clear

anti-drugs attitude is portrayed.

Parental GuidanceO Suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable

for younger children.O “A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older.”O Some PG films are not made for a child audience, but are

suitable for them to watch.O There may be mild bad language.O References to sex are acceptable if it lacks detail or if a child is

unlikely to understand it.O No detail of violence, more acceptable in a historical or fantasy

setting.O Potentially dangerous behaviour which children might copy is

unlikely to be acceptable at PG.

Themes:• No theme is prohibited, as long at it is treated

appropriately. Illegal or antisocial behaviour is not condoned or unchallenged.

• Smoking, drinking and drugs not promoted. If child characters are smoking or drinking, there will be a clear message that it is harmful.

12 & 12A

Themes:• No theme is prohibited, as long at it is treated

appropriately. Illegal or antisocial behaviour is not condoned or unchallenged.

• Smoking, drinking and drugs not promoted. If child characters are smoking or drinking, there will be a clear message that it is harmful.

O 12A means that anyone aged 12 or above can see the film unaccompanied at the cinema. Those under 12 may also see the film if accompanied by an adult.

O Films classified as 12 or 12A may contain material which parents may find unsuitable or may upset a child under 12.

O The tone is important in determining whether a film is classified as a 12 or a 15. If a film has a dark or unsettling tone then it is less likely to be passed as a 12.

O There may be strong bad language, but only if it is infrequent. Moderately bad language is acceptable.

O Discriminatory language (i.e. racist or homophobic words) are unacceptable, unless clearly condemned.

O Sex may be briefly portrayed

15O strong violence / gore (without dwelling on pain infliction). Strong

sexual or sadistic violence will not be passed at 15.O frequent strong language (eg 'f***'). Although aggressive use will not

be passed at 15.O portrayals of sexual activity (but not in graphic detail)O strong verbal references to sexO sexual nudity (without strong detail)O brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual

violenceO discriminatory language or behaviourO drug takingO many horror films are rated at 15, depending on the level of gore

shown.Themes:• “No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is

appropriate for 15 year olds.”• There may be racist, homophobic or discriminatory

language, but the film as a whole cannot endorse these attitudes.

Can include:

18O very strong violenceO frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong

language (eg ‘c***’)O strong portrayals of sexual activityO scenes of sexual violenceO strong horrorO strong blood and goreO real sex (in some circumstances)O discriminatory language and behaviour

Themes:• No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to pick their

own entertainment within the law, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers.

• There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to this.

Can include:

R18

O R18 films contain explicit material of consenting sex.O R18 films may only be shown to adults in licensed

cinemas or supplied to adults in licensed sex shops.O R18 works are primarily for sexual arousal or

stimulation.