BBFC Guidelines

We did some research into BBFC to find out about certificating our film. This is a requirement by law for every film made. This can have a positive impact on the film as it can mean that our target audience are able to go and see the film but this could have the opposite effect if the certificate is too high for our target audience, meaning the film would barely get any audience. We thought by classifying our film, we could make a confirmed decision at our target audience before filming the trailer. We looked through every classification from the BBFC to see where our film would fit in.

U

• Stands for Universal and should be suitable for viewers over four.
• Very mild language is allowed e.g. 'damn' and 'hell' and occasionally  'bugger' and 'bloody' when justified.
• Kissing/cuddling and references to sexual intercourse may be made but no obvious focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.
• May include brief fight scenes or moments of danger but  resolved quickly with a reassuring outcome. Any scary scenes or moments of emotional stress/threat would be balanced out by reassuring elements such as comic interludes or music. "Baddie" characters may carry weapons but there will be no emphasis on this.
• Not usually any reference to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a very clear anti-drug message. 
• Not all U films are for children but will generally contain messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship. It will normally have a happy ending and the overall tone should be one of reassurance. 

PG

• Stands for Parental Guidance meaning suitable for general viewing but may be unsuitable for very young children. Watching should be down to parent's discretion.
• Mildly bad language in a PG such as 'shit' or 'son of a bitch' but the context and delivery are important, the language will not be used aggresively and there will not be too much of it.
• Sex references are acceptable as long as they are lacking in detail although it may be allowed if a child is unlikely to understand the reference.
• No detail of violence e.g. if blood is shown you would not see much of how the injury was inflicted. Violence is more acceptable in historical or fantasy settings. In horror, jumpy moments and scary scenes are allowed but if the sequences have significant or realistic violence, horror or threat then it must not be prolonged.
• Potentially dangerous behaviour which might be copied by children is usually not acceptable especially not if it looks safe or fun. Easily accessible weapons such as knives will not be glamorised or focussed on.
• There may be passing references to illegal drugs or drug misuse, but no strong focus. These are especially acceptable if there is a clear anti-drug message.

12 and 12A

·         The 12 certificate is just for video, DVD and Blu-ray and 12A is just for cinema.

·         12A means that anyone 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for ‘accompanied’ so children under 12 can see the film when accompanied by an adult.

·         May be strong language but it must be infrequent and not masses of aggressive use and there can be use of moderate language. Aggressive discriminatory language is unlikely to be passed at this certificate.

·         Sex can be briefly and discreetly portrayed and some mild verbal references but not frequent crude references. Can be nudity but only briefly.

·         Moderate violence is allowed and gory moments may be permitted if justified. Action sequences and weapons may be present and may be long fight scenes.

·         Moderate physical and psychological threat or horror is permitted as long As there are no frequent sequences.

·         Hanging, suicide and self-harm may be present but not dwell on detail.

·         Infrequent sight of drugs misuse but the portrayal must not be glamorised.

 

15 

·      Potentially a great deal of strong language but continued or aggressive use of the strongest terms will not be passed at 15.

·    May be racist, homophobic and other discriminatory language especially if the work is exploring themes related to this but must not endorse it.

·    Sexual activity can be portrayed as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. May be quite long and involve nudity and movement. Can be strong verbal references.

·    Violence may be strong but strong gory images are not acceptable.

·     Most horror films are rated 15 with strong threat and menace as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised.

·     Drug taking may be shown but not promoted.

·     Dangerous behaviour which could be easily copied such as hanging, suicide and self harm is not likely to be dwelled on.

 

18

• At this rating, no theme is prohibited. By law, adults have the right to choose their own entertainment and so it is possible that some themes may even be offensive to adults.
• There is no limit to usage of strong and extreme language. Could be used aggressively, directly and frequently.
• There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language and there may be themes which directly explore this.
• There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex and there are no constraints to nudity in a sexual and non-sexual context.
• Violence can be strong and detailed and may dwell on the infliction of pain and injury.
• Strong horror works containing gore and/or sustained threat or menace is usually passed as 18.
• Drug taking may be shown but the work must not promote or encourage drug misuse.