The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is responsible for classifying films, videos, DVDs, and some video games in the UK. It provides guidelines for what types of content are appropriate at different rating levels. For example, a 'U' rating is suitable for children aged 4 and over and should not include horror, threat, violence or illegal drugs. A '15' rating means no one under 15 can see the film in a cinema; it can contain strong language, violence, and threat but should not dwell on pain or injury details. The filmmaker's piece was rated '15' due to scenes of violence, threat, and imitable dangerous behavior over two minutes including a death and threatened hostage.

1. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-
governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification and
censorship of films within the United Kingdom.[ It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs
and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010d

2. It is impossible to predict what Discrimination
might upset any particular child. But No discriminatory language or behaviour unless
a ‘U’ film should be suitable for clearly disapproved of.
audiences aged four years and over.
It should not include Horror, threat
or violence
This is what the
BBFC says shouldn’t
be in a ‘U’ classified
film
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and Drugs
unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse
children. The outcome should be unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or
reassuring. there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug
message suitable for young children.

3. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A
‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight
or older. However, parents are advised to consider Horror
whether the content may upset younger or more Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or
intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
sensitive children.
This is what the BBFC says
shouldn’t be in a ‘PG’ classified film
Imitable behaviour
Violence No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, which young children are likely to copy. No
if justified by its context (for example, history, glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible
comedy or fantasy). weapons.

4. Exactly the same criteria are used to classify Violence
works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are Moderate violence is allowed but should not
awarded where the material is suitable, in dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on
general, only for those aged 12 and over. injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments
Works classified at these categories may may be permitted if justified by the context.
upset children under 12 or contain material Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly
which many parents will find unsuitable for and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong
them. contextual justification.
This is what the BBFC says
shouldn’t be in a ‘PG’ classified
film
Imitable behaviour
Language Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide
Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which
language (for example, ‘f*ck’) must be could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily
infrequent. accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

5. No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a Language
cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a There may be frequent use of strong language (for
‘15’ rated video work. example, ‘f*ck’). The strongest terms (for example,
‘c*nt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context.
Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language
is unlikely to be acceptable.
This is what the BBFC says shouldn’t be in a
‘15’ classified film
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the
infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images
are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or Imitable behaviour
sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging,
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on
violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be detail which could be copied. Easily accessible
discreet and have a strong contextual justification. weapons should not be glamorised.

6. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a where the material is in breach of the criminal law,
cinema. or has been created through the commission of a
criminal offence
where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to
risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour,
to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of
violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use,
which may cause harm to public health or morals.
This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised
violence which might, for example, eroticise or
endorse sexual assault

7. Our film has violence, threat and some imitable behaviour through the two
minutes which means we decided to either rate our film as a 12A or a 15. we have
a person die and threat to a hostages life so we decided to rate our film as 15.