The document provides information about the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and their film and video classification system in the United Kingdom. The BBFC is a non-governmental organization funded by the film industry that is responsible for classifying films, videos, DVDs, and some video games in the UK. They use a rating system that includes U, PG, 12A, 15, 18, and R18 ratings which provide guidelines on appropriate age restrictions and content allowed for language, violence, sex, and more. Responsibility for classifying some video games has shifted to the Video Standards Council.

1. Film Classification
Ivan Bailey-Wilson

2. BBFC
• The BBFC 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, to
a lesser extent, some video games under the Video
Recordings Act 2010

3. Video Recordings Act 2010
• The provisions of the Act, which related to video classification
and distribution in the United Kingdom, were unenforceable
until the EC had been correctly notified of the technical
standards
• As of 30 July 2012, and with a few limited exceptions, the
responsibility for rating video games has shifted to the Video
Standards Council, applying the PEGI system. The BBFC
continues to rate all games featuring strong pornographic
(R18)

4. Classification: U
• The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for
audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict
what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the
category range.
• At U we only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’
and ‘hell’).
• Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references
to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no overt focus on sexual
behaviour, language or innuendo.
• Violence will generally be very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes
or moments where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of
emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be
reassuring

5. Classification: PG
• PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general
viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film
should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should
consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive,
children.
• A PG film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG
works can explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or
racism
• There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) in a PG
film, but the context and delivery are always important. For example, if
the language is used aggressively or if there is a great deal of bad
language, a work may be passed at a higher category
• Violence will usually be mild.

6. Classification: 12 and 12A
• Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is
not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12
may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults
planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider
whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we
recommend that they check the BBFC insight for that film in advance.
• The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be
passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is
using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.
• At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail.
There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory
moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for
example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

7. Classification: 15
• No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a
‘15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15
years of age.
• At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language
(e.g. ‘f***’).
• Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'),
depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the
language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.
• At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail.
Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category.
• At 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain
or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be
acceptable.

8. Classification: 18
• Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film
at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are
suitable for children
• There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very
strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be
aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.
• There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full
nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational
context.
• At 18 violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. There
may even be dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury, or scenes of strong
sadistic or sexual violence.

9. Classification: R18
• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily
for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving
adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas,
and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18
videos may not be supplied by mail order.
• R18 titles are filtered out from the main public search as they can have
explicit and/or offensive titles. Details of R18 works will only appear if you
'enable adult content' using the advanced search option.