British Board of Film Classification

1. BBFC
British Board of Film Classification
By Victoria Piper

2. U – Suitable for all
• U is a universal film that is appropriate for anyone over the age of 4.
• In a U rated film there will be no bad language bar a couple of
infrequent uses of very mild language such as ‘damn’ or ‘hell’.
• Drugs, violence and any other bad behaviour are not found in a U rated
film unless it is clear that these are negative activities and they will not
be shown as the correct behaviour. They may be included for
educational purposes but would not be the aim of the film. Any
activities that a child may copy will be made clear as a negative
experience.
• ‘Baddies’ may be shown with weapons but they will not be a focus, the
main character would deal with situations without violence, unless it is
historical, and be shown as a positive influence.
• Any danger for the characters will be brief and resolved quickly, with
the outcome as reassuring to the viewer.
• Kissing and cuddling may be included but details of anything more
would not be shown, and the focus will not lay in sex or innuendo.
• The film would always end happy with a message of reassurance and
include positive messages for any children viewers.

3. PG – Parental Guidance
• A film that can be watched by everyone but could contain
scenes that could be inappropriate for young children, they
should be acceptable for children over the age of 8. Not all PG
films are made specifically for children, the rating just means
that the language and themes are appropriate for the age range
of most of the viewers.
• There will be nothing inappropriate for children but they may
include and explore themes such as bullying, losing a loved one
or racism.
• Context and delivery of bad language affects the rating, if said
aggressively or if there is a lot of it then it could be higher but
for a PG then mild bad language such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’
are accepted.
• Sexual references are unlikely but if the audience wouldn’t
understand them, and they are few and far between without
much detail, the film can still be PG rated.
• There will be no glamorization of drugs or violence but they may
be shown as long as there is no detail and they are shown as a
negative action, not as something to recreate.

4. 12A
• 12 means that no one under the age
of 12 can watch the film at the
cinema even if accompanied by
someone over the age of 18.
• 12A are rated a 12 DVD as there is no
one to judge whether someone is
underage.
• The guidelines for a 12 film are
exactly the same for a 12A.
• Films rated 12 can contain mature
themes, discrimination, soft drugs,
infrequent strong language and
moderate violence, sex references
and nudity. Sexual activity may be
briefly and discreetly portrayed and
sexual violence may be implied or
briefly indicated.
12
• A 12A can be viewed by someone
under the age of 12 as long as there
is an adult accompanying them,
although it still doesn’t mean the film
is any more suitable to an under
twelve than a 12 rated film.
• Strong language can be accepted in a
12A as long as it is not used
aggressively, there is some leeway
for puns but it must be infrequent.
• Moderate sex references or
innuendo can be found in a 12A but
nothing more than what would be
acceptable around a young person.
Crude use of language will not be
accepted and strong references to
sex would push the rating up. Sexual
activity may be briefly and discreetly
portrayed.

5. 12A and 12 film examples

6. 15
• A 15 is available to anyone over the age of 15. Nothing
is prohibited, as long as it is appropriate, and doesn’t
suggest viewers to copy what they see on screen.
• A lot of strong language can be found in a 15 rated film
as there is no limit to the number of times that strong
language can be used (f***) although there can be uses
of the strongest language (c***) but that depends on
the manner it is used. Continuous use or use in an
aggressive manner will not be accepted.
• Drugs and violence could be seen in a 15 as long is it is
not with instruction and doesn’t promote bad actions
on screen.
• Sex and nudity are accepted as long as there is no
specific details.
• A lot of things are acceptable within a 15 age rating
especially with the right kind of context and used with
justification .

7. 18
• No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to
choose their own entertainment provided the
material is not illegal or potentially harmful, so it is
possible some themes tackled at 18 may be
offensive even to some adult viewers.
• Films under this category do not have limitation on
the foul language that is used. Hard drugs are
generally allowed, and explicit sex references
along with detailed sexual activity are also
allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be
permitted if justified by the context. Very strong,
gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted.
Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is
eroticized or excessively graphic.

8. COPYRIGHT LAWS

9. COPYRIGHT
• Is the ownership of an original piece of work
• Sometimes they get artists to sing on the soundtrack of a movie, this gets attention for the
film but also puts a nice bit of money in the artist’s pocket. They can get paid what is known
as royalties.
• Some can even get paid:
• Whenever the film is shown on TV
• Whenever a DVD is sold
• Whenever the soundtrack is purchased
• Whenever the music is played on the radio
• Any time something is used that is owned by someone else the person who wants to feature
it has to ask for permission. If you see a clip of an old movie or TV show while watching a film
they have had to get permission. If you hear a song playing in a film that you have heard
before that has been out for years before the film has they have had to ask permission to
feature it.

10. COPYRIGHT
• Is the ownership of an original piece of work
• Sometimes they get artists to sing on the soundtrack of a movie, this gets attention for the
film but also puts a nice bit of money in the artist’s pocket. They can get paid what is known
as royalties.
• Some can even get paid:
• Whenever the film is shown on TV
• Whenever a DVD is sold
• Whenever the soundtrack is purchased
• Whenever the music is played on the radio
• Any time something is used that is owned by someone else the person who wants to feature
it has to ask for permission. If you see a clip of an old movie or TV show while watching a film
they have had to get permission. If you hear a song playing in a film that you have heard
before that has been out for years before the film has they have had to ask permission to
feature it.