Film Classificztion Guidelines

Film Classification Guidelines
In order to protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released. This independent scrutiny prior to release ensures the highest possible level of protection and empowerment. You may recognise them.

U: Universal – Suitable for all

   A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Drugs:

References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be infrequent and innocuous, or have a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children

Sex:

Only very mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references to such behaviour.

Violence:

Violence will generally be very mild. Mild violence may be acceptable if it is justified by context (for example, comedic, animated, wholly unrealistic)

Language:

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language

PG: Parental Guidance 

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

Language:

Mild bad language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language may result in a work being passed at a higher category

Violence:

Violence will usually be mild. However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

Imitable behaviour:

No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No focus on anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Nudity:

There may be nudity with no sexual context. Sex Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

12A/12 – Suitable for 12 years and over

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.

Drugs:

Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Nudity:

There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

Violence:

There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.

Language:

There may be moderate language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in       a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.

Drugs:

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Language:

There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Violence:

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context

Nudity:

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

18 – Suitable only for adults

No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

Sex education at 18:

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at 18:

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.

R18 - To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only

The R18 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. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order.



Examples of films in these Categories 
U:

• Snow white (1988)

• Big Hero 6

• Cinderella

PG:  

•                                       Home Alone 

•                                     The Incredibles 

•                                        The Goonies

• ET

12/12A:

• Spiderman

• The Avengers

• Superman

• Harry Potter

• Forest Gump

15:

• The Shawshank Redemptions 
• The Matrix
• Pretty Woman

• I, Robot

18:

• Pulp Fiction

• Texas Chainsaw

• Saw

• Piranha  3D

http://www.bbfc.co.uk