This document discusses two major film distributors, Warner Bros Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and lists some of the films noir or films borrowing from the noir genre distributed by each studio. It also provides information on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the six different film certification ratings used in the UK, ranging from U to R18. It concludes that the authors have chosen Warner Bros Pictures as the distributor for their film since Warner Bros has experience distributing similar films rated 12 or 15 by the BBFC for adult themes, violence and crime.

1. Film Distributors &
BBFC Classifications:
Jaskaran Bola & Liam
Coleman

2. Distributor 1: Warner Bros
Pictures
Films Distributed in or borrowing from the Film
Noir Genre:
• The Public Enemy (1931)
• Swordfish (2001)
• The Departed (2006)
• Gangster Squad (2012)
• The Christopher Nolan Batman Trilogy: Batman
Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) & The
Dark Knight Rises (2012)

3. Distributor 2: Paramount
Pictures
Films Distributed in or borrowing from the Film
Noir Genre:
• The Godfather Trilogy (1972-1990)
• Psycho (1960)
• Shutter Island (2010)

4. What is the BBFC?
• The BBFC, or British Board of Film Classification, is a non-governmental organisation
that is responsible for the national certification and rating of films and formerly video
games within the United Kingdom. It is funded by the film industry.
• There are 6 Certifications:
U: Universal, All ages admitted
PG: Parental Guidance, All ages admitted but some scenes may be unsuitable for young
audiences
12A: Anyone under the age of 12 is not admitted, unless accompanied by an Adult. It is
cinema-only and can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong
language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity.
12: For Home Media only. Similar specification to 12, except no-one under 12 can rent
media certified 12
15: Anyone under the age of 15 is unsuitable. Media can contain adult themes, hard drugs,
frequent strong language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and
strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail
18: Unsuitable for anyone under the age of 18. Only Adults admitted. Films don’t have a
limitation on the bad 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.
R18: Only for Adults. Only licensed adult cinemas or licensed sex shops can distribute.

5. Our Chosen Distributor
and Certification
• We decided to chose Warner Bros Pictures. This is
because we would classify our film as a mainstream
blockbuster as opposed to an independent film, and
Warner Bros has a wide history of distributing many
films similar to ours, such as The Departed and
Swordfish. Many of these films have BBFC ratings of
12 and 15, and with our film being certified 15 due to
adult themes, violence and crime, we believe that
Warner Bros would be the ideal distributor