The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is responsible for classifying films in the UK using a rating system of U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, and 18. Films are classified based on their content related to strong language, violence, imitable behavior, drugs, horror, nudity, and themes. The document discusses a hypothetical film being submitted to the BBFC for classification that contains strong language, violence, imitable behavior involving drugs and hitting someone, depictions of drug use, scary kidnappers, and crime/drug related themes, leading to the conclusion that it should receive an 18 rating as not suitable for those under 18.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Steet

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

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.