The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) decides the age ratings for films shown in British cinemas and on video in order to protect different audiences. Films are rated as Universal (U), Parental Guidance (PG), 12A/12, 15, 18, or R18. The ratings provide guidelines about what types of content, such as violence, language, sexual content and drug use, are appropriate for different age groups. The BBFC aims to balance children's safe viewing with creative freedom for filmmakers.

1. BBFC
BRITISH BOARD OF FILM CLASSIFICATION

2. What is the BBFC?
 The BBFC is an institution that decides what
audiences a film is suitable for. Each film is
segregated into 1 of 6 categories. This is to insure
that particular audiences are not exposed to
sensitive scenes or information that may be to the
detriment of them. The categories are
recommendations and are aimed at a general
audience because they cant predict what may be
sensitive to a particular person.

3. Universal (Suitable for all)
 The ‘U’ stands for universal and should be within a
positive framework. It should be suitable for all
audiences aged 4years and over. However it is
difficult to predict what may be sensitive for a
particular child, especially at this lower end of the
category range.

4. Example of films rated U are:

5. Parental Guidance
 This is for heneral viewing, and may contain some
sensitive scenes that may be upsetting to children. For a
film to be PG it must adhere to the following:
A lack of discriminatory language unless with an educational purpose.
A lack of intense horror, though scenes are possible.
No bad language unless mild
A lack of sexual reference unless used in an innuendo and thos should be infrequent.
Moderate violence that can be justified by context.

6. Examples of PG rated films are:

7. Suitable for 12 years and
over
 12A can be watched by someone under 12 if
accompanied by an adult. Their may be brief sexual
content, and drugs and violence may be used but
not glorified. Discriminatory language is rare and
infrequent.

8. Examples of 12A/12 rated films are:

9. 15 years and older
 No one below the age of 15 is permitted to watch a 15 rated film because this
where sexual content, horror and explicit language emerge
15 rated films could have:
- Strong Violence
- Explicit language e.g. f**** or b****.
- Verbal references to sex
- Sexual scenes
- Drugs and alcohol

10. Examples of 15 rated films are:

11. 18 years or older
 18 films are more extreme than 15 rated films in a
number of ways. There is strong violence such as
stabbings, shootings and brutal beatings. Strong and
offensive language is very frequent and
discriminatory behaviour is portrayed throughout.
They have extreme sexual content and sometimes
sexual violence such as rape. Blood and gory scenes
may be shown.

12. Examples of 18 rated films are:

13. Strictly 18 years and over
 A special and legally restricted age classification.
 It involves strong fetish material and consenting sex.
 Can only be shown in licensed specialised cinemas,
sold in adult sex shops and to no one under the age
of 18.
 They can not be supplied by mail order.

14. There are no examples of R18 rated films as they are
restricted and can only be accessed through a filtered
adult search.

15. Presentation by Gloria
Anying x