The document outlines the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) film rating guidelines. It describes the ratings as follows: U - suitable for ages 4+, may not contain violence, threat, sexual content, drugs, or foul language. PG - suitable for general audiences but some scenes may not be suitable for young children; may contain minor references to drugs, sex, violence, threat, or strong language. 12A - not available to those under 12 and may contain minor language, sexual content, moderate threat or violence but not in detail or prolonged. 15 - not available to those under 15 and usually contains strong violence, frequent strong language, sexual activities, references to sex, brief nudity,

1. BBFC Film Guidelines

2. U Rated movies or films
• The U symbol stands for Universal. A U rated movie or film
should be suitable for an audience that is aged four years and
over. U rated movies or films are aimed at pre-school and
toddler aged children mostly. These movies or films don’t
contain violence, threat, sexual activity, drugs or foul
language.

3. PG Rated movies or films
• PG stands for Parental Guidance, this means a film is suitable
for general viewing, however some scenes may be unsuitable
for young children and it is then at the discretion of the
guardian or carer. In PG’s there will only be small references to
things such as drugs, sex, violence, threat and strong
language.

4. 12 Rated movies or films
• 12 rated movies or films are not available to those under the
age of 12, these movies or films contain minor language
within the context of the situation, minor sexual portrayal and
comedic value can be used to lesson the seriousness of this,
moderate physical and psychological threat can also be
included and moderate physical violence but not in detail and
not for a prolonged period of time.
The difference
between 12 and 12A
is that a 12A requires
an adult to
accompany the
person if they are 12
or under.

5. 15 Rated movies or films
• 15 rated movies or films are not available to those under the
age of 15. 15 rated movies or films usually have strong
violence, frequent strong language, sexual activities, strong
verbal references to sex, nudity, short, limited scenes of
sexual violence and/or verbal references to sexual violence
and drug taking.

6. 18 Rated movies or films
• An 18 rated movie or film means that it is only suitable for age
18 and over. Therefore if you are under the age of 18 then it
means you cannot view it in the cinema, rent or buy the
movie or film from anywhere in a legal fashion. Movies or
films that are rated 18 contain very strong violence, strong
language, strong sexual activities, sexual violence, strong
horror, strong blood and gore and discriminatory behaviour.