The BBFC is responsible for classifying films shown in British cinemas according to their content and suitability for different age groups. There are 7 different classifications ranging from U for universal to R18 for explicit adult content. The document discusses the criteria for each classification level, focusing on the types of content that determine if a film receives a 12, 15, or 18 rating such as violence, language, drug use, sexual content, and imitable behavior. It then analyzes a hypothetical film and determines it would receive an 18 rating due to its depictions of drugs, violence, criminal behavior, and language.

1. The BBFC
British Board of Film Classification

2. What is the BBFC
• BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification
• They are responsible for deciding the classification of films.
• There are 7 different classifications of films.
• U (unlassified - for everyone)
• PG (parental guidance needed)
• 12 (no one under 12)
• 12a(no one under 12 can watch without an adult in the cinema)
• 15 (no one under 15)
• 18 (no one uder 18)
• R18 (no one under 18 - contains pornographic themes)

3. Unclassified
• Films classified as a ‘U’ are suitable for
all ages to watch.
• An example of this Monsters Inc. Due to
its child friendly nature.

4. Parental Guidance
• A film classified as a ‘PG’ means that
parental guidance is needed when
watching the film.
• An example of this is Harry Potter and
the Philosopher’s Stone. Due to its
slight violence.

5. 12 and 12a
• A film classified as a ‘12’ means you have
to be 12 or above to watch the film.
• A 12a applies to cinemas only and means
that if you are under 12 you have to be
accompanied by an adult
• An example of a 12 is Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows. Due to its violence
and frightening images.

6. 15
• A film classified as a ‘15’ means it is not
suitable for anyone under the age of 15.
• An example of a 15 is Skyfall. Due to
some sexual scenes and bad language.

7. 18
• A film classified as an ‘18’ is not suitable
for anyone under the age of 18.
• An example of this is The Wolf Of Wall
Street. Due to bad language and nudity.

8. R18
• An R18 is for films containing
pornography. They are also unsuitable
for anyone under the age of 18.

9. What determines the
classification of a
film?• Strong Language
• Violence
• Imitable Behaviour
• Drugs
• Horror
• Nudity
• Themes

10. What classification
should our film be?
• We have come to the conclusion our
film should be an 18.
• Of the 9 categories used to classify
films, ours contains 6; drugs, horror,
imitable behaviour, violence, and
language.

11. What does our
film include?

12. Strong Language
• In the phone call scene, the main
kidnapper says ‘F***’ when on the
phone to Jason.

13. Violence
• During the kidnapping, the kidnappers
suffocate Jason’s girlfriend and throw
her in the boot of a car.
• In the phone call scene, Jason’s
girlfriend gets hit around the head with a
metal pole and knocked out.

14. Imitable behaviour
• Hitting someone with a metal pole can
easily be imitated by children.
• Snorting drugs is also imitable
behaviour.

15. Drugs
• Jason, the protagonist, is seen snorting
lines of cocaine.
• The kidnappers work for a drug lord.

16. Horror
• The kidnappers are wearing balaclavas
and appear quite scary.
• The kidnapping could cause some
distress if a child were to view it.
• An associate of the kidnappers is killed
by Jason.

17. Themes
• Film is centred around crime and drugs
which could be taken the wrong way by
younger viewers.
• There is lots of crime involved –
unsuitable for younger audiences e.g.
dealing drugs, abduction, and murder.