The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1912 by the film industry to be responsible for the national classification and censorship of films in the United Kingdom. It was established by the film industry to self-regulate censorship rather than have government censorship. Its legal basis comes from the 1909 Cinematograph Act which required cinema licenses but courts later ruled licensing criteria did not need to be restricted to health and safety issues alone.

1. BBFC Research
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), before 1985 known as British
Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, founded by the film
industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of
films within the United Kingdom.
Members of the film industry, who would rather manage their own censorship,
than have national or local government do it for them, established the BBFC in
1912 as the British Board of Film Censors. It began operating on 1 January 1913.
Its legal basis was the Cinematograph Act 1909, which required cinemas to have
licences from local authorities. The Act was introduced for safety reasons after a
number of nitrate film fires in unsuitable venues (fairgrounds and shops that had
been hastily converted into cinemas) but the following year a court ruling
determined that the criteria for granting or refusing a licence did not have to be
restricted to issues of health and safety.
Symbol Name Customer
Information
Examples
Universal All ages admitted, there
is almost nothing
unsuitable for children
 Lion King
 The smurfs 2
 The Croods
Parental Guidance All ages admitted, but
certain scenes may be
unsuitable for young
children. Should not
disturb children aged 8
years or over. May
contain mild language
and sex/drugs
references. May contain
moderate violence if
justified by context (e.g.
fantasy). Parents may
wish to check the film
before they let their
children watch it.
 Wreck-it
Ralph
 Frozen
 Star Wars
Episode II:
Attack of the
Clones

2. 12A This category applies to
cinema only releases
since 2002. Films under
this category are
considered to be
unsuitable for young
children. Cinemas are
only permitted to
supply tickets to see a
12A-rated film to
children under the age
of 12 years if an adult
accompanies them,
aged at least 18 years.
However, it is unlikely
to be suitable for
children under the age
of 12.
Films under this
category can contain
mature themes,
discrimination, soft
drugs, infrequent
strong language and
moderate violence, sex
references and nudity.
Sexual activity may be
briefly and discreetly
portrayed. Sexual
violence may be implied
or briefly indicated.
 Iron Man 3
 Godzilla
 Pacific Rim
 The Hunger
Games:
Catching Fire
 Skyfall
12 This category applies to
cinema releases from
August 1989 to 2002,
and home media since
1994. It is suitable only
for persons aged 12
years and over, not to
be supplied to anyone
below that age. It is
illegal to knowingly
rent or sell a 12-rated
VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc,
UMD or game to anyone
 Les
Miserables
 The Hobbit
 The Lord of
the Rings
 Getaway
 The perks of
being a
wallflower

3. under the age of 12.
12A-rated films are
usually given a 12
certificate for the
VHS/DVD version
unless extra material
has been added that
requires a higher rating.
The content guidelines
are identical to those
used for the 12A
certificate
15 Suitable only for
persons aged 15 years
and over, not to be
supplied to anyone
below that age. It is
illegal to knowingly
rent or sell a 15-rated
VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc,
UMD or game, or supply
cinema tickets for a film
with this rating, to
anyone under the age of
15.
Films under this
category can contain
adult themes, hard
drugs, regular use of
foul language and
limited use of very
strong language, strong
violence and strong sex
references, and nudity
without graphic detail.
Sexual activity may be
portrayed but without
any strong detail.
Sexual violence may be
shown if discreet.
 Ted
 The Heat
 Mama
 The Matrix
 Jackass
Presents: Bad
Grandpa

4. 18 Suitable only for
persons aged 18 years
and over, not to be
supplied to anyone
below that age. It is
illegal to knowingly
rent or sell an 18-rated
VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc,
UMD or game, or supply
cinema tickets for a film
with this rating, to
anyone under the age of
After researching these certifications we have decided to classify our
film as a 15. This is because most films in the film noir genre would
fit into the 15 and 18 categories. As drugs may possibly be included,
although only talked about, and since it includes elements of violence
and crime it made us come to the conclusion that our film would be
classified as a 15.
18.
Films under this
category do not have
limitation on the foul
language that is used.
Hard drugs are
generally allowed, and
explicit sex references
along with detailed
sexual activity are also
allowed. Scenes of
strong real sex may be
permitted if justified by
the context. Very
strong, gory, and/or
sadistic violence is
usually permitted.
Strong sexual violence
is permitted unless it is
eroticized or
excessively graphic.
 Django
Unchained
 Evil Dead
 Pulp Fiction
 Kill Bill
 The Wolf of
Wall Street
 Spring
Breakers
 Filth
 Don Jon