The document discusses UK film age ratings from U to 18. It provides information on what content is acceptable for each rating level and examples of the types of films that may receive each rating. The U rating means a film is suitable for all ages 4 and above and will contain very mild language, kissing, and brief non-sexual violence. The 18 rating means a film is only suitable for adults and may contain very strong language, sexual violence, strong horror, and discriminatory content.

1. Age ratings

2. Age rating- U
The symbol U means universal, meaning it should be suitable for any
viewer ages 4 years and above. The only issue is it’s very hard to
predict what may upset a child of such a young age.
What to expect in a U rated film:
infrequent use of very mild bad language e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.
Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no overt focus
on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.
Violence will generally be very mild, sometimes brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in
danger occur, however these are balanced out by reassuring elements and quickly resolved.
What kind of films are expected to be given a U rating?
U rated films vary from a wide rang of themes, as long as the treatment is appropriate for a young audience. This doesn’t
mean that all films rated U are children’s films.
Films with this rating give off positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship, particularly amongst children. The
film or video may well have a happy ending for the child and the overall tone should be one of reassurance.

3. Age rating- PG
The symbol PG stands for Parental Guidance, meaning films are
suitable for general viewing however some scenes may be
unsuitable for young children. Parents should considered whether
the content will be appropriate for the specific viewer before they
watch it.
What to expect in a PG rated film:
There may be mild bad language such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’.
Sex references are unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent (if a child is less likely to understand, then it may be
allowed).
Violence will usually be mild, their might be some blood. Violence is generally more acceptable in a historical, comedic or
fantasy setting, because of the distancing that this provides.
There might be innocuous or passing references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse in a PG work.
What kind of films are expected to be within a PG rating?
A PG film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG works can explore challenging issues such as
bullying, bereavement or racism.
Some films are given a PG certificate but have not been made with a young audience in mind.

4. Age rating- 12 and 12A
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material
that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one
younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless
accompanied by an adult.
Difference between 12 and 12A:
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. 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. The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot
sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.
What to expect in a 12A/12 rated film:
Strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A.
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers.
Moderate violence, Action sequences and weapons, and there may be long fight scenes or similar, Sexual violence, such as
scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly.
Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present, may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse
What films are expected to have a 12A/12 rating?
Some horror films are passed at this category but mainly key to this age rating is the use of the overall tone of a film or video,
and the way it makes the audience feel may and how it may affect the classification.

5. Age rating- 15
The 15 rating symbol means that no-one under 15 is allowed
to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video.
15 rated works are not suitable for children under the age of
15 years.
What to expect in a 15 rated film:
Strong violence, frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***'), portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual
nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour and drug
taking.
What films are expected to have a 15 rating?
No theme is prohibited in 15 rated films, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. At 15
there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat

6. Nocturnal age rating- 15
My thriller ‘Nocturnal’ is going to be rated a 15, therefore
no one under the age of 15 view this at the cinema or
purchase/rent it in a store.
Some of the things you can expect in Nocturnal:
Horror
Violence
Strong language
Gory scenes
We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers but such behaviour should not dwell on detail enough
to be copied.
One of the main reasons we have chosen this age rating is because the characters in the film are around this age, which
enables them to be able to relate to the film better as what occurs could easily be experienced by any one of us..

7. Age rating- 18
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. Nothing
with an 18 rating is suitable for children.
What would you expect in a 18 rated film:
very strong violence, frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’), strong
portrayals of sexual activity ,scenes of sexual violence ,strong horror ,strong blood and gore ,real sex (in some
circumstances) and discriminatory language and behaviour.
What themes are expected in a 18 rated film?
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.