Researching the BBFC

Researching the BBFC

The British board of film classification (BBFC) is the regulator of film and video in the UK, they provide the film ratings such as; U, PG, 12A, etc. Anyone wanting to release a film at the cinema in the UK needs to make sure the film has a BBFC age rating. This is also true for most videos or DVD'S you watch at home. Films you watch online don't need an age rating by law, but many online video platforms like to make sure their online films and videos have BBFC age ratings.

Step one
When a film is finished and ready to be viewed the distributer will send it to the BBFC with an online form, the form will include information like when the film is due to be released and what rating the distributer would like the film to be rated.

Step two
The company then has to pay the BBFC to rate their film, they pay per minute, plus a small sum of money for the company costs. The average cost to rate a film is £800. Years ago he cost used to be measured by the length of the reel per foot.

Step three 
The film is then checked to make sure it is finished and in a good enough quality for the examiners to watch it, they check for glitches and technical problem.

Step four
Each year hundreds of films are sent off to the BBFC to be rated. The film will usually be watched by two examiners in the company’s own cinema underneath the office in London.

Step five
Examiners must carefully note down the film title as this is shown on the black card which you see in cinemas, therefore there mustn’t be any spelling mistakes. They then make note of all the issues that they see in the film. Then they state what the rating is and the BBFCinsight of the film, this is what you and/or your parents read to understand why it has this rating. Age ratings

Universal –
Different children are upset by different things, so it is sometimes difficult to say what might upset a particular child. However, U films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay.

Films and DVDs for children should make clear to them the difference between right and wrong. Films and DVDs in this rating should be about subjects which are generally suitable for younger audiences. At the most there may be occasional very mild bad language.

There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to romantic activities. Only mild references (e.g. to 'making love') and mild behaviour (e.g. kissing) are allowed in this rating. There also shouldn’t be a lot of violence or dangerous behaviour that can be easily copied by young children.

Parental guidance – 
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older so BBFC Examiners are thinking of eight year olds when they decide about the rating and how strong the issues are.

Films and DVDs may be about more grown up topics such as crime, racism, bullying or violence in the home. There must be nothing which suggests these are good things. They may also be mild bad language.

There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong or is presented within a film that is educational or showing historical scenes.

12A and 12 –
The 12A rating is only used for films shown in cinemas. Films rated 12A are suitable for children aged 12 and over. However, people younger than 12 may see a 12A so long as they are accompanied by an adult. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behaviour that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behaviour is unacceptable unless it is clearly disapproved of.

15 and 18 – 
No one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.

15 rated films, videos and downloads can contain strong material including strong swearing, strong horror and strong violence. Films, videos and downloads rated 18 are not suitable for children. No one younger than 18 can go and see an 18 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or download.