The British Board of Film Censorship (BBFC) was established in 1912 to regulate the growing film industry in Britain. In the late 1930s, the BBFC began unofficially censoring films for political views at the request of the Home Office. In 1984, the BBFC took on the additional responsibility of classifying videos. While the BBFC assigns film ratings, local authorities have final say over who can view which films. Ratings provide information about a film's content such as sex, violence, and language.

1. How is the Industry
Regulated?

2. • To regulate the films which were becoming more and more
popular at time went on, the BBFC (British Board of Film
Censorship) was set up in 1912.
• They were based around the law set up earlier in 1909, that every
cinema needed a licence. They were aloud a licence depending on
the sort of films they showed which allowed censorship to be
created.
• Just before World War II, unofficial system of political censorship
was implied by the BBFC for the Home Office. As the cinema
became a place where a lot of people went and took information
in the government feared that it would be used to show
propaganda , so any expression of political views in British films
was banned to a some what extent.
History

3. • In 1984 the BBFC was given responsibility for classifying
videos for hire or to view at home, as well as films shown in
cinemas. Home video and cinema versions of a film usually
receive the same certificate, although occasionally a film may
receive a more restrictive certificate for the video as it is
easier for children to access at home.
• Several films rated 'PG-13' in the US by the MPAA (Motion
Picture Association of America) generally equivalent to the
'12' and '12A' classifications, have received '15' classification
in the UK.

4. Cinema
• Local authorities have the final legal authorisation over who
can view a particular film.
• In 2002 a few local authorities ignored the BBFC's
specification that the movie “Spider-Man” should receive a
’12’, and allowed children younger to see the film. However,
the BBFC was already in the process of replacing the 12 rating
with a new ‘12A’, which allowed under-12s to see the film if
accompanied by an adult, so as a result “Spider-Man” was
reclassified as ‘12A’.

5. Film
• All films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate
with "consumer advice" which contains
references to any sex, violence and coarse
language if the films. If a certificate specifies
that a film is only suitable for someone over a
certain age, then only those over that age may
buy it.

6. Universal - All ages
admitted, there is
almost nothing
unsuitable for children.
Parental Guidance -All
ages admitted, but
certain scenes may be
unsuitable for young
children
12A- Cinemas are only
permitted to supply tickets to
see a 12A-rated film to children
under the age of 12 years if they
are accompanied by an adult,
aged at least 18 years.
Over 12 - It is suitable only
for persons aged 12 years
and over, not to be supplied
to anyone below that age.
Over 15 - Suitable
only for persons
aged 15 years and
over
Over 18 - Suitable
only for persons
aged 18 years and
over