The BBFC is a non-profit organization that was established in 1912 by the film industry to classify films nationally using uniform guidelines. Films seeking theatrical release are typically classified by at least two BBFC examiners who view the entire film and write a report recommending a classification based on the BBFC's published guidelines. The BBFC examiners come from various backgrounds and analyze whether a film's content is legal under UK law, seeking external advice if needed. They aim to classify films in a way that informs consumers and protects children from unsuitable or harmful content.

1. Film
Certification
Sujata Gurung

2. The BBFC is a non-profit organisation; this means it does not
receive subsidies from either the film industry or the government.
It solely dependant on the fees it charges for its service. The
BBFC was set up in 1912 by the film industry to bring about
uniformity to the classification of film nationally.
Films that are going to be theatrically released normally need to
be classified by at least 2 examiners from the BBFC using the
published guidelines. And in most cases the decision is followed
up by the senior examiner.
The examiners view the films and write a detailed report on
them and recommend a category decision, cuts or other
actions. They also give talks about classification at educational
institutions, film festivals and other events. The examiners come
from various backgrounds such as teaching, journalism,
research, law and marketing etc. The senior examiners of BBFC
as of 2014 are Craig Lapper and Murray Perkins. The senior
examiners also undertake advice viewings, answer any enquires
from distributors and lead a team of Examiners.
The BBFC examiner analyse and make recommendations on
whether the film or video is legal. For instance scenes or films
that include animal cruelty, obscenity, racial hatred etc. will
need a more professional analysis. In this case the BBFC may
seek external expert advice. Therefore if the content of the film
is against the UK law then the film will be rejected and denied
certificate to view in the UK and cinemas.

3. History of BBFC
Since statutory power on films still remain with the local
councils-this may cause any of the BBFC’s decisions to
be over ruled. However from mid 1920s it has become
general practice for local authorities to accept the
decisions of the BBFC.

4. How is the certificate of a film
decided?
 It is decided or awarded by the ‘British Board of Film
Classification. (BBFC)
 This is placed in order to protect children from unsuitable and
even harmful content in films and videos.
 It gives the consumers information about the film and video
before deciding whether or not to watch it.
 The BBFC watches the whole film and video all the way
through and awards an age rating and insight to each one.
 The reach an age rating by applying the standards and
criteria contained in their classification guidelines.
 These classifications consider issues such as discrimination,
drugs, horror, explicit language, nudity, sex, violence and
dangerous and easily imitable behaviour (e.g. jumping off a
building to fly) before making decisions.

5. The Rating Process
BBFC classification guideline

6. The proportion of
work suitable for solo
viewing are TV series
episodes aimed
towards young
children.
There are daily viewings of videos and films
by the Examiners. They normally view a
DVD submission on their own (solo viewing)
and films are views in two’s. And if the work
is extreme reality material then it will be
viewed as a group. This is gather various
opinions of what certification to give.
The examiners watch films for cinema
release in the BBFC’s cinema, this is done in
order to reproduce the effect that sound
levels and special effects have on cinema
audience.
DVDs are viewed in BBFC’s viewing rooms
which has plasma screens to recreate the
‘home viewing’ experience.
(These are done in order to create an
accurate certification for the content)
With each work e.g. each film, TV episode
they watch the examiners have to log the
details of what they watched. These
include the general context e.g. plot,
characters, outline of individual scenes.
The timings of key moments, including
camera angles, type of shots, on-and-off
screen moments. And last is bad
language, sex and drug references and so
on.
They also have to write reports on the
material they viewed. In the report they
should write a brief synopsis of the
film/DVD/episode etc. And also details of
arguments in support of the
recommended age rating. Most of the
recommended age rating decisions will be
based on the BBFC’s published guidelines
(last revised in 2009).
The distributor can request a specific age
rating, thus if necessary cuts may be
suggested to meet the category request.
A certain work can be referred for further
viewing by a team if an examiner is unsure
about an issue or theme.
With videos or films that have controversial
material, it can be referred to the weekly
Examiners’ meeting where they can
debate about the word and it’s possible
age rating. But ultimately the work will be
referred to senior management
If the film/video/episode contains
material which is illegal or
unacceptable under the BBFC’s
guidelines, Examiners will draw up a
list of the cuts, this will be sent to the
distributor. If a film or episode on it’s
own is unacceptable it can be
rejected, but this happens only on
rare occasions.

7.  The guidelines are the basis of all rating decisions done. it is available for
the public and the industry to view.
 The new classification of the BBFC guidelines is viewed by over 8,700
people across the UK from the age of 16 upwards to form the basis for
the latest set of classification Guidelines (2009)
 The guidelines are BBFC’s Classification standards which are in line with
what the public expects and that its decision take account of what the
public finds acceptable at each age category e.g. 12, 15, 18
 The guideline is changed every 4-5 years. This is done through major
public consultation exercise to find out what the public thinks about the
age rating of film and videos. This is so that the BBFC’s is kept up to date
with public concerns and attitudes.
There are 2 important principles in the guidelines:
1. To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or
otherwise unsuitable content
2. To empower consumers, particularly parents and those with
responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions.

8. Discrimination • No Discriminating language or
behavior
(Unless it’s shown to be clearly disapproved
of)
Drugs • Infrequent references to illegal drugs or
drug misuse
(if so it should have clear education
purpose or anti drug message-suitable for
children)
Imitable
Behavior
• Potentially dangerous or anti-social
behavior which young children may
copy should be clearly disapproved of
• No emphasis on realistic or easily
accessible weapons
Language • Infrequent use of very mild bad
language
Nudity • Occasional nudity
• No sexual context
Sex • Only very mild sexual behavior e.g.
kissing
Threat • Mild and brief scary or potentially
unsettling sequences are acceptable
(this should not cause any anxiety to
young children)
• The outcome should be reassuring
violence • Mild violence may be acceptable
• But needs to be justified by context
e.g. animated, comedic, unrealistic
etc.
U -Universal
• Suitable for audiences aged four
years and over.
• It is hard to pinpoint what in particular
might upset a child therefore U films
should be set in a positive framework.
• It should provide reassuring
counterbalances to any violence,
threat or horror.
• If work is suitable for pre-school
children, this will be indicated in the
‘BBFCinsight’

9. PG-Parental
guidance
• For general viewing but some
scenes may be unsuitable for
young children
• Children of any age can watch
but parents are advised
• The content may upset younger or
more sensitive children
• Should be okay for child aged 8 or
older to watch
Discriminat
ion
• Discriminating language or behavior is likely to
be unacceptable (unless it’s disapproving it)
• Should not appeal to children
Drugs • No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse
• Any reference to should carry anti-drug
message
Imitable
behavior
• No potential dangerous behavior that is
imitable by young children
• No glamorization of realistic or easily
accessible weapons e.g. knives
• No focus on anti-social behavior
Language • Only mild bag language
• Aggressive or constant use of mild bad
language will be passed for a higher
category
Nudity • May be nudity with no sexual context
Sex • Implied sexual activity but should be discreet
and uncommon
• Mild sex references and innuendo only
Threat • No long or intense frightening sequences or
situations where character are in danger
Violence • Mild violence
• Might accept moderate violence without
detail if the context is justifiable e.g. history,
comedy, fantasy

10. Drugs • Misuse of drugs must be uncommon or at
least not be glamorized and given
instructional detail
Imitable
behavior
• No promotion of potentially dangerous
behavior that is imitable
• No glamorization of accessible weapons
e.g. knives or anti-social behavior
Language • Strong language may be permitted
(depends on the how its used or who is
using it
• The frequent use of strong language may
be justifiable if it has special context.
Nudity • May be nudity
• Sexual context must be brief and discreet
Sex • Sexual activity should be brief and
discreet
• Moderate sex reference are permitted
• Frequent crude references are likely to be
unacceptable
Threat • Maybe moderate physical and
psychological threat and horror
sequences
• Some scenes may be disturbing (but
overall tone should not be)
• Horror sequences should be uncommon
or not long
Violence • Moderate violence
• Not much detail no violence
• No emphasis on injuries or blood
• Occasional gory moments may be
permitted if justifiable by context
• Sexual violence may be implied, only
briefly and discreetly indicated
• Deception should be justified by context
12A – 12
Suitable for 12
years and over
• 12 is not suitable for children under the
age of 12
• 12A in cinema’s children younger than
12 aren’t allowed to see unless
accompanied by an adult
• Adult planning to take a child to
watch 12A film should consider if the
film is suitable for the child
• To help them decide they can look at
the BBFCinsight for film in advance
• No one younger than 12 may rent or
buy a 12 rate video/film

11. Discrimination • Should no advertise discriminating language or behavior
• There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and
language
Drugs • Drugs being taken can be shown but should not promote the misuse of
drug e.g. instructional detail
• Misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is likely to be
unacceptable
Imitable behavior • Dangerous behavior should not be shown for too long
• Easily accessible weapons is acceptable (depends on factors e.g. context,
setting, realism)
Language • Strong language allowed
• Very strong language permitted(depends on how it’s used and who is using
it
• The common use of it may be justifiable by context
Nudity • There is not constraint on sexual activity if it’s used in a non-sexual or
educational context
• May be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail
Sex • Sexual activity may be portrayed but no strong detail
• May be strong verbal references to sexual behavior
• Strong references are likely to be unacceptable (unless justifiable by
context)
• Films primary purpose is to stimulate sexual arousal is likely to be
unacceptable
Threat • Strong threat and horror allowed
• Full focus on sadistic or sexual threat is likely to be unacceptable
Violence • Strong violence should not be shown for long
• Strong gory images are likely unacceptable
• Strong sadistic violence is likely unacceptable
• Maybe be detailed verbal references to sexual violence
• Depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context
15-suitable
for only 15
years and
over
No one
younger than
15 may
watch a 15
film in a
cinema or
rent/buy a 15
rated
film/video

12.  Material maybe breach of criminal law
 Material likely to encourage an interest
in sexually abusive activity which
include adults role-playing as non-
adults.
 Portrayal of sexual activity which
involves lasting physical harm
 Some allowance of moderate non-
abusive, consensual activity
 Object associated with violence or
likely to cause physical harm.
 Sexual threats, humiliation or abuse
which do not form part of a clearly
consenting role-playing game.
 Strong physical or verbal abuse (likely
to be unacceptable)
18-Suitable
for only
adults
Only 18 or older can see this film in cinema.
No one younger than 18 can rent or buy an
18 rated film
R18-To be shown only in specially licensed
cinemas or supplied only in licensed shops
and to adults only
Only adults are allowed to see or buy
• 18 films can contain strong
issues such as:
• Very strong violence
• Frequent strong language
• Strong detailed portrayal of
sexual activity
• Scenes of sexual violence
• Strong horror
• Strong blood and gore
• Real sex
• Discriminatory language
and behavior
• May be racist, homophobic
or other discriminatory
language

13. Star trek into Darkness
12 :
Sci-fi films Why?
Star trek into Darkness (2013)
12 : It contains moderate
violence and threat.
There is violence due to the battle scenes, however this film is not as gory as ‘Elysium’ was, there is less
blood and there is not as many deaths. Furthermore less serious cursing words are used.
Ex-Machina (2015)
15: due to strong language,
bloody violence and sex
references.
There are some intimate scenes in the film. There is use of serious cursing words. Characters can be
seen drinking. There is a scene where a man cuts his arm, the scene is quite graphic, as well as this
there is a scene where the robot peels of her skin. So for this reasons the BBFC could have given the
film a 15 certification.
Elysium (2013)
15: It contains strong language,
bloody violence and gory
images.
There is a battle between several robotic droids and some of the main characters. There is use of
grenades to explode ships. As well as this a man gets shot in chest by gunfire. Blood is visible. Almost
all the death scenes in the film is very bloody and graphic. Therefore this maybe too disturbing for
audiences younger than 15 to watch.
Back to the Future (1985)
PG: Contains mild language and
violence.
There is a character in the film called Biff who is violent, aggressive and bullies/threathens. There are
scenes where there conflict with this character but the conflicts don’t result in blood or gory scenes.
This might be slightly disturbing to young viewers therefore parental guidance is needed. There are
some scenes where characters can be seen drinking and driving.
Interstellar (2014)
12A: Infrequent strong language,
moderate threat, violence
PG-13 in American classification
system
There are death scenes, however there is not gory imagery. Most of the time death is implied
although there is one scene where a character’s helmet cracks and he is seen to be suffocating but
he is ultimately saved. There are two men drinking beer, and also there are some very intense,
difficult and emotional scenes, which might be the reason why the film was given a PG-13.
DREDD (2012)
18: It contains frequent strong
bloody
There is a lot of violence and gore, for example there is a scene where men are beaten until blood is
visible. There are uses of knife, guns, grenade and blood. There is also intimate scenes with images of
intimate human parts. In addition the plot revolves around fictional drug and there is one very
disturbing scene of eyes being gouged out. Overall the tone and mood of the film is very dark and
gritty.
Jurassic world (2015)
12A: moderate threat,
occasional gory moments,
action violence
PG-13 in American classification
system.
There are some violent scenes such as dinosaurs eating man, there are also moments were blood is
shown e.g. wounds on legs and head. The language is mild, with no serious cursing word being used.
There are several jump scares, it more graphic than the other Jurassic park movies which might be
the reason why the film got a PG-13.