The BBFC is the UK regulator of films and videos that provides age ratings to indicate appropriate audience age levels. It was founded in 1912 as the British Board of Film Censors and renamed in 1984 as the British Board of Film Classification. The BBFC aims to protect children from unsuitable content, provide information to consumers, and bring regularity to national film classification. Films are examined and rated according to standards for depictions of discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous behavior, language, nudity, sex, and violence. Common ratings include U for all ages, PG for ages 8 and over, 12A for ages 12 and over, 15 for ages 15 and over, and 18 for ages 18 and over.

1. The BBFC
The British Board of film
classification

2. What is the BBFC?
The BBFC is the UK regulator of video and film that provide age ratings such as 15 and 12A. They are a
designated company therefore have the power to rate films and also reject/cut films which those not suit
their audience ratings.
Purpose of the BBFC?
Some of the purposes of the BBFC include:
Bringing an amount of regularity to the classification of film nationally.
indicate the age-appropriateness of moving image works seen by the different audiences.
To protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos.
To give consumers information they might need about a specific film or video before deciding whether or
not to view it.
How does the BBFC rate movies?
The BBFC rates movies/videos by applying standards and criteria contained in their classification guideline
, The movie/video is inspected by a senior examiner who checks on criteria such as discrimination, drugs,
horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making
decisions.
When was it created?
The BBFC was founded in 1912 known as The British board of film censors then In 1984 the name was
changed to the British
board of film classification
Facts about the BBFC

3. Age Ratings of the BBFC
The U rating is for all ages
A U film should be suitable
for audiences aged four
years and over, U films
should be set within a
positive structure and
should offer encouraging
balances to any violence,
threat or horror.
Violence- will generally be very mild.
Slight violence may be acceptable if it is
acceptable by perspective (for example,
comedic or animated)
Threat- Frightening
or possibly upsetting
sequences should be
mild, brief and not
likely to cause undue
apprehension to
young children.
Sex-Only very slight
sexual conduct (for
example, kissing) .
Drugs-References to
prohibited drugs or
drug abuse must be
irregular, or have a
clear informative
purpose.
Discrimination-
Discriminatory language
or actions is unlikely to
be suitable unless
evidently rejected.

4. Wide-ranging viewing, but
some scenes may be
inappropriate for young
children(age 8 or older).
Unaided children of any age
may watch, but parents are
recommended to think
through whether the content
may distress younger children.
Imitable behaviour-No detail of
potentially unsafe activities which young
children are likely to replicate, if that
behaviour is presented as safe or fun. No
easily available weapons such as knives.
No focus on anti-social behaviour which
young children are likely to imitate.
Nudity-There may be
nudity with no sexual
context. Sexual action
may be inferred, but
should be subtle and
uncommon.
Language-Mild bad
language only. Aggressive
or very frequent use of
mild bad language is not
allowed.
Threat-Terrifying sequences
or circumstances where
characters are in danger
should not be sustained or
intense.

5. Drugs-Ill use of drugs
must be rare or give
informative detail.
Nudity-There may be state
of undressing , but in a
sexual context it must be
momentary and subtle.
Language-There may be
temperate language. Strong
language may be allowed,
depending on the way in which
it is used.
Sex-Sexual activity may be briefly
and unnoticeably depicted.
Moderate sex references are
permitted.
12 and 12A films
contain material
that is in general
not appropriate for
children aged
under 12. No one
younger than 12
may see a 12A film
in a cinema unless
attended by an
adult who thinks
the film is proper
for the child.

6. No one younger than
15 may see a 15 film in
a cinema or may rent or
buy a 15 rated video
work.
Violence-Violence may be
durable but should not
reside on the infliction of
pain or damage.
Threat-There may be strong
threat and horror. A continuous
emphasis on brutal or sexual
threat is not likely to be
adequate.
Language-there may be racist,
homophobic or other intolerant
themes and language, but must not
endorse discriminatory language or
conducts.
Drugs-The misapplication of easily
reachable and extremely unsafe
substances (for example, aerosols
or solvents) is unlikely to be
tolerable.

7. No one younger than 18
may see an 18 film in a
cinema or may rent or
buy an 18 rated video
work.
Sexual contents-Where sex material honestly seeks to inform
and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex
and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.
Violence-Actual strong violence like
stabbings and brutal and ruthless
beatings, more strong, offensive and
discriminatory language. Scenes of sexual
violence like rape.

8. R18 category is a distinctive and legally-restrained
classification mainly for open works of consenting sex or strong
obsessive material involving adults.