The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification which rates films, music videos, video games and other media in the UK. They use a rating system from U to R18 based on content like violence, language, drugs, sex and nudity. Two examiners watch each film and consider issues of harm and social attitudes to determine the appropriate rating. Every few years they consult the public to ensure their standards meet societal views of what age ratings are appropriate. While the ratings symbols can differ between cinema and home video releases, the classification guidelines aim to be consistent to provide informed choices to consumers, especially parents.

1. Assignment 7:
BBFC & Understanding Of
Film Rating
Chelsea Hopkins
Esere Simei-Akajagbo

2. Lesson Points

3. What is the BBFC?
BBFC- British Board of Film Classification
Examiners classify and rate films

4. What do they classify?
They classify:
Music Videos,
Video Games,
Videos Online,
Trailers and Films

5. What are the 7 ratings
symbols?
Universal- suitable for everyone
Parental Guidance
Cinema rating- 12 years and older
Video release- 12 and over
Suitable for viewers- 15 and over
Suitable for- adults
Restricted to licensed shops- contains pornographic
footage

6. How do they classify
films?
•Two examiners watch a film for theatrical release.
• The senior examiner will confirm the examiners’ opinion of rating. But if the examiners
are unsure or do not agree, the film may be shown to other members of the Board
including the Director.
•Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous behaviour, language, nudity,
sex, and violence when making decisions. The tone of the context is also taken into
consideration

7. Are the 7 symbols classified the same
or differently?
• Every 4-5 years, the BBFC carries out a public consultation to find out what
the public thinks about the age rating of films and if the BBFC’s standards meet
the publics standards.
•They adjust their standards and criteria to meet the publics views of the
appropriate age of rating.
• The Guidelines say what is acceptable in each age category, from U to
R18.There are two key ideas laid out in the Guidelines are:
• To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise
unsuitable content
•To empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for
children, to make informed viewing decisions.
These guidelines are set in place for all categories meaning classification is fair
for all films awaiting release.

8. Film Rating

9. Film Rating
Certificate for adult
viewers
For viewers 18+
Individuals who are younger than 18 cannot
see the film in the cinema.
How are they
classified?
Examiners look at general and specific certificate guidelines to consider
which category the film should be placed.
These help protect individuals from harm and the social attitudes towards
media contents.

10. An Example
'The Human
Centipede'
Why is was not rated a
15?
Drugs- using highly dangerous substances and drug misuse
Threat- frightening and intense scenes.
Language: English, Japanese & German- intense swearing in a
negative context.
Violence- strong violent and gory scenes.
Sex & Nudity- strong sexual preferences, explicit images of nudity
throughout the film.

11. Case Study

12. Juno
2008
12A
Films rated 12a means that anyone aged 12 or over can go
and see the film unaccompanied. A is for 'accompanied' and
'advisory'. Children younger than 12 can see the film if they are
accompanied by an adult over 18, who has to watch the film
with them.

13. 10 things learnt from the
text
It was submitted to the BBFC with a PG request
The BBFC felt that the film’s treatment of an important theme was
‘suitable for young teenagers’
The films use of swearing meant it couldn't be classed as pg but 12a
allows for this language infrequently
The DVD version was given a rating of 12
The sex reference are not educational and were felt to mitigate any
offence

14. • It is seen as playful and tender in its treatment of a mature theme
• The clip from the wizard of gore is brief and comic, meaning it was in the category to
be classed as a 12a
• The trailer caused people to complain at its theatrical release because it contained
sexual references and was played before a children's show
• The sex references were considered to reflect what is likely to be familiar to most
adolescents
• The key classification issues are infrequent strong language, moderate sex
references and brief sight of a gory scene from an old horror movie The Wizard Of
Gore which was rated