The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent organization that rates films and videos in the UK. To obtain a rating, a distributor submits a film to the BBFC along with an application and fee. Examiners then view the film and assign an age rating based on its content. The main age rating categories are U, PG, 12A, 15, and 18, with 18-rated films only suitable for adults due to explicit content.

1. Olly and gary

2. What is the BBFC
• The British Board of Film Classification is an
independent, non-governmental body which has
classified cinema films since it was set up in
1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video
Recordings Act was passed in 1984.
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3. How the film is rated
• Step one: when a film is finished it is sent to the bbfc with an
online form. The form gives vital information such as how long
the film is, its release date and the age rating the distributor
would like.
• Step two: The company pays to have the film rated an average
length film would cost £800.
• Step three: The film is then checked to make sure it is of a good
enough standard and that there are no glitches
• Step four: Hundreds of films are sent to the BBFC for a rating
each year, a film is scheduled in a diary to let the examiners
know when the film ill be shown.
• Step Five: Two examiners then watch the film. When it is
finished they make a note of the age rating they think suitable.

4. Age rating
• 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.
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5. • PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable
for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for
younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged
around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the
content might upset younger or more sensitive children.
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6. • 12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film
unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and
'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are
accompanied by an adult (e.g. someone over the age of 18), who
must watch the film with them.
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7. • No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at
the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated DVD. 15
rated works are not suitable for children under
15 years of age.
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8. • 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 DVD. No 18 rated works are
suitable for children.
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9. • The 18 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. 18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.
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10. Case Studies
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Adulthood:
Director: Noel Clarke
Status: 15
Year: 2008
• The film has an age rating of 15 due to the
sex, drugs, violence and bad language
references.

11. •
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Fight club
Director: David Fincher
Status: 18 uncut
Year: 1994
• The film has an age rating of 18 due to
violence and the potential encouragement
for bare knuckle fighting

12. • The dark knight:
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Status: 12A
• Year: 2008
• This film has a 12A rating because the violence
is lacking in any blood or injury details