The BBFC rates films, videos, DVDs and some video games before they can be supplied to consumers. They use age ratings like U, PG, 12A, 15 and 18 to help inform viewers and parents about what level of content is appropriate for different age groups. The BBFC examines each submission and considers factors like violence, language, sex, drug use and more to determine the appropriate rating. They provide a rating and insights about the content to help viewers decide if something is suitable for them.

1. CBBFC

2. What do they do
•
Step OneWhen a film is finished and ready to be seen its owner (often called the
distributor) sends it in to the BBFC with an online form. The form gives us vital information
including how long a work is, when it is due to be released in cinemas and what rating the
distributor would like. It is important for us to know what rating a distributor would like, even
if we don’t agree to give it in the end, as it tells us what age group they think the film is
suitable for.Step Two The company must pay us to rate the film. They pay an amount of
money per minute, plus a small sum of money for our costs. An average length film would
cost about ｣ 800 or so to rate. Years ago films stored in reels were measured with a ruler
and the distributor was charged an amount per foot of film.Step Three The film is checked
to make sure it is finished and good enough quality for a team of Examiners to watch it.
There can’t be any glitches or technical problems and it must be completely finished.
Examiners have to rate the exact same film that people will see in the cinema.Step Four
Hundreds of films are sent to the BBFC for a rating each year. We have a department who
make sure each film is seen in good time. A film is scheduled in a special diary, which lets
Examiners know what time the film will be shown, and where. Step Five Two Examiners
watch the film. They must carefully note the title down (as this will be shown on the black
card certificate you see in cinemas so can’t have any spelling mistakes on it). They then
make a note of all the issues in the film as they watch. When they finish, they write a
synopsis, discuss the age rating and write the BBFC insight for the film. BBFC insight is the
information for you and your parents about what issues are in a film and why it got its rating.

3. Age ratings
QuickTime™ this
are decompressorand apicture.
needed -Universal Suitable for all
to see
-PG films can be viewed by all ages, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young
QuickTime™ this
are decompressorand apicture.
needed children.
to see
-The 12A rating is only used for films shown in cinemas. Films rated 12A are
QuickTime™ this picture.
aredecompressorand for children aged 12 and over. However, people younger than 12 may see
needed suitable a
to see
a 12A so long as they are accompanied by an adult. In such circumstances,
responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
-The 12 rating is only found on videos and DVDs. No one younger than 12 may
QuickTime™ and a picture.
decompressor this a 12 rated video or DVD.
are needed rent or buy
to see
-No one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one
younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
-Films, videos and downloads rated 18 are not suitable for children. No one
younger than 18 can go and see an 18 rated film in the cinema. No one younger
than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or download.

4. I rated the following film
a U as after watching
the trailer I identified
that the film had minor
threat and also had a
theme of family and
discovery which would
sum up to be a U, and
this was correct as this
is exactly what the
BBFC rated the film.

5. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TYPE OF MEDIA Film
APPROVED RUNNING TIME 115m 12s
RELEASE DATE 03/07/2013
BBFCINSIGHT Contains moderate sex references, violence, threat and strong language
GENRE(S) Action, Drama, Thriller
DIRECTOR(S) Louis Leterrier
CAST INCLUDES Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo, Woody
Harrelson, Michael Caine
•
The film contains one use of strong language ('f**k') which is spoken in astonishment at an
illusion performed during a show. Mild bad language includes 'bullshit', 'asshole', 'shit',
'dick', 'pissed' and 'sod off'.
There are various moderate sex references, including to cross dressing and masturbation.
In one scene a woman in her underwear lies on top of a man, but sexual behaviour is
interrupted when the man's attention is diverted. In another scene, a man jokingly offers
himself to a woman, who is not interested, with comments referring to her 'physical needs'
and offering to be her 'personal corkscrew'.There is a scene of moderate violence involving
a fight between one of the illusionists and FBI agents. Some blows are exchanged, but the
emphasis is on the man's fast paced acrobatic abilities. Brief moderate threat occurs when
a woman appears to be trapped in a tank of water full of piranhas which turns bloody, and
when a man appears to be trapped in a burning car.No-one younger than 12 may see a
12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or
buy a 12 rated video or DVD.
•
QuickTime™ an
decompressor
are needed to see this

6. QuickTime™ an
decompressor
are needed to see this
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•
•
•
•
•
•
RUNNING MINUTES 105
RELEASE DATES 28/06/2013
BBFCINSIGHT Contains very strong language, strong sex references, drug use and gore
GENRE(S) Comedy
DIRECTOR(S) Seth Rogen,Evan GoldbergCAST INCLUDES James Franco, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Emma
Watson, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Martin Starr
THIS IS THE END is a comedy about a group of Hollywood celebrities, playing themselves, who gather for a
party at James Franco's house, only to find that the party coincides with the arrival of the Apocalypse. It is
rated 15 for very strong language, strong sex references, drug use and gore.There is frequent strong language
throughout the film ('f**k', 'motherf**ker' and 'c**ksucker'), as well as a single use of very strong language
('c**t'). The single use of very strong language is male to male and occurs within a comic context.There are
strong verbal and visual sex references, including comments about oral sex and ejaculation, and sight of the
shadow of a comically large erect penis. In one scene, a group of male celebrities discuss which one of them
is most likely to be a rapist. This is not a serious conversation, or an endorsement of sexual violence, but
illustrates their collective stupidity and inability to deal with the situation in which they find themselves. This is
emphasised by a female celebrity giving them a forceful dressing down, which leaves the men thoroughly
chastened.The film also contains scenes of soft drug use and occasional sight of hard drugs. The drug use is
part of the film's lampooning of tabloid ideas of the Hollywood lifestyle. Even though the characters involved
are well known celebrity figures, playing themselves, the use of drugs is not overtly glamorised or
endorsed.There are some gory moments in which limbs are ripped off and characters are decapitated by the
demons who have arrived with the Apocalypse. This is presented in an exaggerated and cartoonish style that
is familiar from modern comic horror films such as SHAUN OF THE DEAD.No-one younger than 15 may see a
15 rated film in the cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video or DVD.

7. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ an
decompressor
are needed to see this
•
•
•
•
•
•
APPROX. RUNNING MINUTES 84
RELEASE DATES 02/03/2012
BBFCINSIGHT Contains drug use, strong sex references, and very strong language
GENRE(S) Drama, Comedy
DIRECTOR(S) Nima Nourizadeh
CAST INCLUDES Thomas Mann, Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper, Nichole Bloom, Alexis Knapp
•
PROJECT X is a comedy about three High School students who throw a party in order to ingratiate themselves with
others at the school. The party rapidly gets out of hand. The film was classified '18' for frequent drug use, strong sex
references and very strong language.The film features frequent scenes of drug use throughout, including the smoking
of marijuana and the taking of ecstasy. The BBFC's Guidelines at '15' state 'Drug taking may be shown but the film as
a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse'. There is a strong emphasis placed on the enjoyment derived
from drug use, with little overt criticism of such behaviour. Nonetheless, the fact that the party spirals out of control
means there is an element of balance in terms of illustrating the potential pitfalls of such activities.The film features a
number of strong sex references, largely delivered by the three protagonists as they plan the party and discuss
possible sexual activity with their female guests. Some of the references are very explicit and crude, referring to
genitals and particular sexual acts, and exceed the terms of the '15' Guidelines which state 'the strongest references
are unlikely to be acceptable'.The film includes frequent strong language and one aggressive use of very strong
language. The Guidelines at '15' state 'There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, 'fuck'). The
strongest terms (for example, 'cunt') may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the
strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable'. The aggression in the single use of very strong language means it is
more appropriately classified at '18'.The film also contains frequent female breast nudity, as women swim in an
outdoor pool and jump up and down on a bouncy castle. There is also a scene in which a female character starts to
strip off before sex, grabbing the male character's hands and placing them on her naked breasts. There is no further
detail beyond this. The film also features a significant quantity of alcohol use, leading to increasingly irresponsible and
outrageous behavior.