The document outlines the BBFC guidelines for rating films in the UK across several categories including discrimination, drugs, imitable behavior, language, nudity, sex, threat, violence, and the 18 rating. For each category, it specifies what type and level of content is considered acceptable for films rated U, PG, 12/12A, and 15. For example, for language it states that U films can contain infrequent mild bad language, PG films mild bad language only, 12/12A films moderate to strong language depending on context, and 15 films may contain very strong language depending on certain factors.

1. BBFC
BY PHOEBE THOMAS

2. Discrimination
U – extremely unlikely to be acceptable for a film of this rating.
PG – extremely unlikely to be acceptable, unless in an educational or
historical context or in a particular dated work which has no appeal to
children.
12/12A – aggressive or discriminatory language or behaviour unlikely to be
acceptable unless clearly condemned.
15 – The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or
behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory
themes and language.

3. Drugs
U – there should be none, or infrequent innocuous drug use, and the film
should contain a strong anti-drug message, suitable for young children.
PG – drug use must be limited and discreet and the film should carry a
suitable anti drugs message.
12/12A – misuse of drugs must be limited and not be glamourised or give
instructions for use.
15 – Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or
encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse
of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols
or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

4. Imitable Behaviour
U – films under this category should not contain any kinds of dangerous or anti-
social behavior that children are likely to copy, and should not focus on weapons
that are realistic or easily accessible.
PG – no detail on dangerous behavior which young children may copy. No
glamorization of realistic or easily accessible dangerous weapons and no focus
on anti-social behavior.
12/12A – no promotion of dangerous or antisocial behaviours. No glamorization of
weapons.
15 – Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming)
should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of
easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism,
context and setting.

5. Language
U – infrequent use of mild bad language.
PG – mild bad language only, aggressive or frequent use of bad language
may result in a film being passed at a higher category.
12/12A – there may be moderate language, and strong language
depending on the context.
15 – There may be strong language. Very strong language may be
permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the
language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special
contextual justification.

6. Nudity
U – occasional nudity with no sexual content.
PG – occasional nudity with no sexual content.
12/12A – there may be nudity but when in a sexual context must be brief and
discreet.
15 - There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational
context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong
detail.

7. Sex
U – only mild sexual behavior such as kissing.
PG – sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent,
mild references and innuendo only.
12/12A – sexual activity must be brief and discreet.
15 – Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There
may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest
references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works
whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be
acceptable.

8. Threat
U – They should have a reassuring outcome.
PG – threatening scenes should be kept short and not intense.
12/12A – there may be moderate physical and psychological threat and
horror, some disturbing scenes however they should not be long or frequent.
15 – There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or
sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

9. Violence
U – violence should be mild, and justified by context for example comedic,
animated, or wholly unrealistic.
PG – violence should be mild-moderate without detail, if in context for example
historical, comedic or fantasy.
12/12A – there may be moderate violence but this must not be focused on
greatly, no emphasis on blood or injuries and sexual violence should only be
implied.
15 - 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 violence
is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to
sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified
by context.

10. 18 Rating Films
18 – Suitable only for adults
No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy
an 18 rated video work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are
most likely in the following areas:
 Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the
commission of a criminal offence.
 Where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behavior,
to society. For example, the 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 sadistic or
sexual violence which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims
enjoy sexual violence; or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful
violent activities.
 Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see below)
or where the primary purpose of the images in question is sexual arousal. In the case of video
works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent
than for cinema films.