Research : British Board of film classification

I have been asked as part of my research to look into the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification). the reason why we have been asked for this is because soon we will be producing our own two minute long trailer for a horror film therefor we must know what is suitable and allowed to be put into the into out trailer so we have to be careful in the things we choose to put into the trailer. Also as it is targeted at age 15 and above this is the most popular target audience of last year so it has a big target audience.

Who are they?
The british broad of classification is an organization who are responsible for the age ratings suitability of the things that are shown in a film. they were established in 1912. Also they have the power to cut out scenes from a movie or tell the directors to change it if they feel it is too extreme also they can completely reject the film all together. The BBFC also classifies video games which are released under the the Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC will not classify material which it believes to be in breach of the criminal law.

The Guidelines
There are 5 main types of different age classifications for films U,PG,12,15 and 18. All of them have been set by the BBFC. they base the guidelines of the age ratings they give on films on a few factors such as Drug use, violence, language and etc. Below are the age rating and what is allowed in them.




What is not allowed in a U :

U - Universal (suitable for all ages)

In a U there is no discrimination or behavior that is allowed unless it has clearly been approved of. No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children. Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring. Infrequent use only of very mild bad language. No potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context. Mild sexual behavior for example, kissing and references only for example, to ‘making love’. Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only. While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

PG - Parental Guidance

The discrimination or behavior in a PG is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.  Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable. reference to drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message. The horror content in the movie must be should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor. the imitable behavior in the film must be no detail of potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy. No glamorization of realistic or easily accessible weapons. the language must be only mild bad language.



In a 12 no one under the age of 12 is allowed to watch that movie unless it is a 12A where someone younger could watch the film if they are accompanied by an adult. the guidelines for a 12/12A are -

Discriminatory language or behavior must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned. Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized or give instructional detail. Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. Dangerous behavior (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorized. Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language for example, ‘fuck’ must be infrequent. Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable. Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

A 15 means that anyone who is under the age of 15 will not be able to watch the film, the guidelines are -

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior. Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances for example, aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable. Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behavior for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorized. There may be frequent use of strong language for example, ‘fuck’. The strongest  terms for example, ‘cunt’ may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behavior, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

In a 18 certificated film no one under the age is able to watch. 18 rated films do not have many guidelines as they are based at adults and they should be ale to choose what they want to watch, but from the BBFC website the information based on 18 rated films that may be restrictions from them are -

where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behavior, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault. where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ .

R18-To be shown only in licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years old

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 in licensed sex shops. The following content is not acceptable: 

• Any material which is in breach of the criminal law.
• Material likely to encourage an interest in sexual 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, whether real or simulated.
• 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 clearly-consenting role-playing game.