BBFC - Film Regulation

About
The BBFC stands for the British Board for Film
Classification, as their purpose is to help give guidance to
families and children about films and the ratings that are
given to the films. The BBFC was founded in 1912 by the
film industry. The BBFC’s role is to do things such as
protect the public from things that might raise alarms, to
empower the public to make informed decisions, provide
an effective service to enforcement agencies and multiple other things that are used to
protect the public.

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-us

Classifications

A U rating for a film means that it is appropriate for people who are four years old or over. U
films are set to be within a positive framework and should reassure any young children about
violence, threats or horror in the films.

A PG rating stands for Parental Guidance and may have scenes in the film that aren’t
appropriate for young children. A PG rated film should not be considered inappropriate to a
child aged 8 or older. Children of any age can watch PG films even if they are not without
their parents. Even though they can watch PG films by themselves, parents are advised to
watch the films with them as it may upset young and sensitive children.
A 12A rating for a film stands for films suitable for children aged 12 and over. A 12A film is
not suitable for children who are under 12, as they must be accompanied by an adult to
watch 12A films in the cinema if they are under 12. Adults should consider whether a 12A
film is suitable for a child under 12. The film would be given a 12A rating if it included
dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, sex or nudity.

A 12 rating stands for films that are suitable for children aged 12 or older. A 12 film is not
suitable for children under 12 years old, as they can not go to the cinema to see a 12 film if
they are under 12 years old. If a child under 12 wants to go to the cinema to go and see a 12
rated film, they must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are also not allowed to
rent or buy any films that have a 12 rating.

A 15 rating for a film means that teenagers under 15 are not allowed to see a 15 rated film in
the cinema. Teengarers also under 125 are also not allowed to buy or rent film =s that have
a rating of 15. Teenagers under 15 are not allowed to see 15 rated films due to them
possibly including things such as dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, nudity and
other inappropriate things for teenagers under 15.
An 18 rating for a film means that no one under 18 can go and watch an 18 rated film in the
cinema. People under 18 are also not allowed to buy or rent any films that have an 18 rating.
People who are 18 or over should be free to choose their own entertainment and should be
able to watch a film of any age rating.

Films with an R18 rating are special and legally restricted films which include things such as
sex and fetish material, which also include adults in the film. R18 films are only allowed to be
shown in specially licensed cinemas. As well as this, R18 video works may be supplied to
adults only in licensed sex shops.

Film Classification

Our film is a PG rating because it is suitable for general viewing and should not upset
children eight or older. A child under eight may be unsettled by the idea of a nightmare or a
bad dream that the film could cause. It is also rated a PG film due to there being no chance
of dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, bad language, nudity, sex, threat/horror and
violence being included in the film.