BBFC
The BBFC or the British Board of Film Classification is a company that works directly in conjunction with the film industry that is based in the UK. What the British Board of Film Classification does is oversee a film and provide censorship where needed or apply a suitable age rating to the film. It is law to have your film be classified by the British Board of Film Classification in the United Kingdom.
The British Board of Film Classification classify films using age certificates.
Each age certificate has a certain amount of requirements and restrictions in order to achieve it as the films rating.
The British Board of Film Classification classify films using age certificates.
Each age certificate has a certain amount of requirements and restrictions in order to achieve it as the films rating.
The U certificate means Universal. Universal films are set to be suitable for anyone above the age of four years old. All U rated films are rated based on the following,
- Bad Language-Only infrequent use of very mild language is allowed (Hell/Damn)
- Sexual Behaviour-Only kissing and cuddling is allowed, there must be no overt focus on sexual behaviour or language.
- Violence and Threat-Very mild fight scenes may be included where the main character is placed in danger, the situation must be resolved quickly and have a reassuring ending.
- References to Drugs-Drugs will never be a focus unless the main aspect is to show a disapproving message of illegal drugs and substances that an audience of the age will understand.
The PG certificate means Parental Guidance. Parental Guidance films are set to be for general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. PG films are rated based on the following,
- Themes passed at PG-Only suitable themes for children are passed in the PG tier, only issues like bullying, racism and bereavement are present.
- Bad Language-There will only be mild language in a PG film with the most being 'Shit' and 'Son if a Bitch' being present.
- Sexual Behaviour-There will only ever be sexual behaviour to any significant extent if its infrequent and not detailed.
- Violence and Threat-Violence will be very mild with a small amount of blood shown, the infliction of the wounds details will not be shown.
- References to Drugs-References to drugs will be kept mild and there will never be a strong focus unless there is an anti-drug message.
The 12 certificate means the film contains material that is not appropriate for children under the age of 12. All 12 certificate rated films are rated based on the following,
- Bad Language-There will be some bad language featured in 12 certificate rated films. Bad language that may be included in 12 rated fils are 'Bitch' and 'Twat'. The film will be rated by how the language is used and the frequency of it.
- Themes and Tone-Depending on the tone of the film and how dark the themes are portrayed and shown will depend whether the film is classified as 12, 12A or 15.
- Discrimination-Discrimination will most likely not be featured in movies of this classification unless the use of discrimination is clearly condemned.
- Sexual Behaviour-Sexual behaviour may be briefly or discreetly.
- Violence-Violence is only shown in mild detail, there should be no emphasis on blod or gore.
The 15 certificate means that the film contains material that is not appropriate for people under the age of 15. All 15 certificate rated films are rated based on the following,
- Bad Language-There will be bad language showcased in 15 rated movies. There is no limit on how many is used. Continued and aggressive language throughout the film will not be passed for 15
- Discrimination-At 15 discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated if the actions are endorsed on screen, however the movie may explore discriminatory themes.
- Sexual Behaviour-Sexual behaviour may be showcased in a lengthy manner as long as the movie does not go into much detail with the action.
- Violence-While the strongest of gory scenes will not be passed for 15 certificates, films may still feature injury and blood but not linger too long on them.