The document outlines the audience classification system used in the UK for films. It describes the content restrictions and guidelines for films rated as universal ("U"), parental guidance ("PG"), 12A, 12, 15, and 18. Films rated U are suitable for all ages, while each increasing rating number allows for more explicit or mature content such as violence, language, sexual content, and drug use. The ratings are designed to help inform parents and prevent children from viewing inappropriate materials.

1. AUDIENCE CLASSIFICATION-
MEGAN FERRY

2. • ’U’ stands for universal
• Suitable for children aged four years and over.
• Very mild bad language can be used in ’U’ rated films, for example ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.
• Characters can be seen kissing or cuddling with references to sexual behaviour, but will not focus on
such.
• Violence will be very mild and this will not be focussed on, so not to upset or influence children.
• No illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a very clear educational purpose that children of a
young age can understand.
UNIVERSAL

3. PARENTAL
GUIDANCE
• PG stands for parental guidance.
• PG means that the film is suitable for general viewing but some scenes may unsuitable for younger children.
• A PG film should be suitable and not unsettle children at the age of eight years old and above.
• A PG film can will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG films can include issues as challenging
as bullying, bereavement and racism.
• Sexual references are unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent.
• Violence will usually be mild. Should be no detail of violence in PG work for example if there is blood we would not
see how the injury happened in strong detail.
• Dangerous behavior e.g. bullying, playing with electricity will not be condoned in PG films. There will not be any focus
on easy accessible weapons e.g. knives. Smoking and drinking alcohol will not be promoted, if a character is seen
smoking or drinking there should be a clear message that doing things like that are bad and should be clear for the
children watching PG films.
• Illegal drugs and drug misuse may occur but there will not be a strong focus on this. Drug references will be allowed
in PG films if there is a clear anti-drugs or educational message eight year old and over children will be likely to
understand.

4. • Films classified with a 12A and 12 contain material that is not suitable for children under the age of 12. Anyone under
the age of 12 will not be allowed to see a 12A movie unless accompanied by an adult this is enforced by the cinema
staff and the cinema may lose its license if a child under the age of 12 is admitted.
• Accompanied viewing can’t be enforced at home that is why films have the 12 certificate on the DVD/Blu-ray disk so
a child cannot purchase the DVD if they are not 12 or over.
• Strong language can be used in 12A and 12 movies if it is used in the right way, there may be moderated language for
example ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ in 12A and 12 movies.
• In 12A films moderate behavior is allowed but shouldn’t contain a lot of detail. Blood/Injury may be shown if it’s used
in a medical scene. Action sequences and weapons may be used and there may be long fighting scenes. Weapons
which might be easy accessible e.g. knives shouldn’t be glamorized in these films.
• Moderate physical and physiological threat is allowed in 12A and 12 films.
• Dangerous behavior is allowed in 12A and 12 films but should not show a lot of detail which could be copied.
• There may be scenes of drugs misuse but again should not show a lot of detail and again shouldn’t be glamorized.
12 & 12A

5. AGED 15
RATING
• Children under the age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas for films that are 15 rated and will not be allowed to buy or
rent any movies rated 15.
• Any theme is allowed as long as it’s appropriate for 15 year olds.
• What you may see in a 15 rated movie: Violence, frequent strong language, sexual activity, strong verbal references to
sex, sexual nudity, drug taking.
• There is no limit on strong language but it has to be used in the right way, aggressive used of strong language will not
be used in 15 rated films.
• There may be homophobic, racist or other discriminatory language but at 15 the works should not encourage
discriminatory language or behavior.
• Sexual activity can be portrayed but usually without a lot of detail but some of the scenes can be quite long in this
category.
• Violence can be strong, there should not be a huge focus on pain and injury. There may be detailed references to
sexual violence.
• Drug taking can be seen but should not promote or encourage drug misuse. Dangerous behavior or things teens may
copy is taken into consideration.

6. AGED 18
RATING
• Films rated 18 are for adults no one under the age of 18 can buy/rent a DVD of this age rating.
• No theme is banned because adults are allowed to choose their entertainment providing the material is not illegal or
potentially harmful. Some themes can still be offensive in a 18.
• Strong violence
• Frequent strong language
• Portrayals of sexual activity
• Scenes of sexual violence
• Strong horror
• Strong blood and gore
• Discriminatory language and behavior
• There is no limit on strong language.
• Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.
• There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18.
• Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18 At 18 horror movies can contain strong horror, gore or
sustained threat.
• Drugs are shown as long as the movie doesn’t promote or encourage drug misuse
• Very dangerous or criminal behavior