2. What is a classification?
• Films usually get given a classification, this is so that
if the film is not suitable for children of a certain age
they will not be able to view the film. Films may be
given a classification if they include strong language,
very strong language, violence, sexual content,
discrimination, drugs or nudity.
3. U Classification
What does U mean?
The U symbol stands for universal, this means that the film should be suitable for audience
aged 4 or older however this is not set in stone as it is impossible to predict what might
upset a particular child.
Will there be any bad language in a U film?
Very mild language is allowed infrequently within a U film, this includes ‘damn’ and ‘hell’
Will U contain any sexual content?
Characters may kiss or cuddle and there may also be references to sexual behavior.
Is violence or threat permitted in a U film?
Violence is generally very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where
characters may be in danger however these moments will be quickly solved.
How is behavior that children might copy shown?
Potentially dangerous or anti-social behavior which young people may copy must be clearly
disapproved of.
Will there be any references to drugs?
There will not normally be references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there is a clear
anti-drug message behind it.
4. PG Classification
What does PG mean?
PG stands for parental guidance, this means that that the film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young
children. Parents should be able to determine whether the film may contain content which could upset their child/children.
Are all PG films made for younger audiences?
Some films are given the PG classification but are not made with younger audiences in mind.
What sort of themes are passed at PG?
A PG film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child however is can explore themes such as bullying, bereavement or
racism.
Will there be use of bad language?
There may be mild language such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’ however the context and delivery is thought about for example if the language
is used in an aggressive manor or if there is a great deal of bad language then the work may fall under a higher classification.
Will it contain sexual content?
Sexual references are unlikely unless they are unclear and infrequent. Also if the child ois unlikely to understand the reference then it may
pass as a PG.
Is violence or threat allowed?
Violence will usually be mild. There should be no detailed violence which means they could show blood however not show how the injury
was conflicted.
How is behavior that children might copy shown?
In a PG film, potentially dangerous or anti-social behavior which young children are likely to copy, such as bullying, will not be condoned or
seen to go unchallenged, especially if it comes across as safe or fun. Realistic or easily accessible weapons, such as kitchen knives, will not
be glamorized or focused upon in a PG film. Smoking or drinking will not be promoted and If child characters are seen doing so, it will ve
made clear that this is bad.
Will there be drugs in a PG?
There may be passing references of illegal drugs or drug misuse in a PG, although there will be no focus on this. Drug references may also
be permissible if there is a clear anti-drug or educational message likely to be understood by children 8 or over.
5. 12 and 12A classification
What does 12A mean?
Films classified 12A and 12 contain material that is generally not suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in the cinema
unless accompanied by an adult however the adult must consider prior to viewing the film whether the film is suitable for that child.
What's the difference between 12 and 12A?
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any children under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by the cinema staff and a cinema may lose its
license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12
certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than 12A. The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers which means that they cannot sell of rent the item to a customer
unless they are over the age of 12.
Is there a lower age limit for a 12A film?
There is no lower age limit however it is advised that very young children do not view them. Works classified at these categories may be likely to contain material
which could upset the child. Adults are responsible to decide whether the film is suitable for the child to view.
How important is the tone of a film at 12A and 12?
If a film contains very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would be less likely to pass as a 12A and if the film is particularly positive or
reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15.
Will there be use of strong language in a 12A or a 12?
Words such as ‘fuck’ may be passed at a 12 or 12A, depending on how is it used, who is using the language, its frequent and any special contextual justification.
Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There may be use of moderate language such as ‘bitch’ or ‘twat’
Can discrimination be shown?
Any discriminatory language or behavior will not be encouraged. Aggressive discriminatory language is unlikely to be passes at 12A or 12 unless it is clearly
condemned.
Do 12A films contain sexual behavior?
Sexual content may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. Verbal references to should not go beyond what us suitable for young teenagers. There may be
nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet.
What violence is allowed?
At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not be too detailed. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood but occasionally gory moments may be
permitted if they can be justified by the context. Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A and 12 and there may also be long fight scenes however
weapons which are easily accessible to 12 year olds such as kitchen knives should not be glamorized. Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be
implied or briefly and discreetly indicated and they must also have a strong contextual justification.
Can horror be passed as 12 or 12A?
Some horror films are passed as this classification. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12A or 12 as long as horror sequences are not too
frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing .
6. 15 Classification
What does the 15 classification mean?
No-one under the age of 15 is allowed to see a film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated videos are not suitable for
children under 15.
Are there any limits on what sort of theme a film can have at 15?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
What might I see in a 15 rated film or video?
Strong violence, frequent strong language, protrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references of sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of
sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behavior or drug taking.
How much strong language is allowed at 15?
There could potentially be a large amount of bad language. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number if uses of strong language.
Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms, depending on how they are used, who is using the language, its frequency
and any special contextual justification.
Are discriminatory or offensive terms used?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this however, at
15 the use of this language must not be encouraged.
How much sexual content and nudity is allowed?
Sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long long at this category. Though
nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will usually be strong detail. There can be strong references to sex and sexual
behavior, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be accepted unless justified by context.
Can there be strong violence?
Violence is allowed on a 15 classification, it should not dwell on how the person inflicted the injury however strong gory images are
allowed.
Is sexual violence permitted?
There may be detailed sexual violence but any portrayal depicted of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
Can a horror film be classified as a 15?
At 15 there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
7. 18 Classification
What does the 18 symbol mean?
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. No 18 rated films are suitable for children.
Are there any limits on what sort of theme a work can have at 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.
What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or video?
18 films are likely to contain strong issues such as very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong
sexual content, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex and discriminatory
language and behavior.
How much strong language is allowed?
There is no limit on the use of strong or very strong language.
What about discriminatory terms?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language and the film could explore themes
relating to discrimination.
