1. 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.

2. The BBFC Guidelines
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For the BBFC its important that they stay up to date constantly with the public so
they're classification standards are in line with what the public expects and that its
decisions take account of what the public finds acceptable at each age category.
Therefore every 4-5 years, the BBFC carries out a major public research exercise to
find out the publics thoughts about the age rating of films and videos before they
are released and whether or not the BBFC’s classification standards meet public
concerns.
The BBFC adjusts its standards and criteria in response to any changes in public
attitudes.
These standards are laid out in the BBFC’s Classification Guidelines. The Guidelines
detail what is acceptable at each age category, from U to R18.
There are two key principles, laid out in the Guidelines, under which The BBFC
operate:
to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise
unsuitable content
to empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for
children, to make informed viewing decisions.

3. How does the BBFC classify films &
videos / DVDs?
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Films for cinema release are normally rated by at least two Examiners using the
BBFC’s published Guidelines mentioned in the previous slide. In most cases the
decision is confirmed by a Senior Examiner, but if the Examiners are in any doubt
or a film sits right on the border between two categories, or if important policy
issues are involved, the work may be seen by other members of the BBFC up to,
and including, the Director and Presidential team.
Occasionally The BBFC need more specialist advice about the legal acceptability of
film content or its potential for harm on the general public.
DVDs are normally seen by one Examiner, especially when they are viewing the
DVD version of a film which has already been age rated after being shown in a
cinema. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for more
difficult works.
Examiners look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour,
language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when making decisions.
They also consider context, the tone and the impact of a work E.G. the way it
makes the audience feel and act)

4. Finances
• The BBFC is a non profit organisation, and its fees
are adjusted only to cover its costs. In order to
preserve its independence, the BBFC never
receives subsidies from either the film industry or
the government. Its income is solely from the
fees it charges for its services, calculated by
measuring the running time of films or DVDs
submitted for classification. The BBFC consults
the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
before making any changes to its fees.