BBFC - Film Regulation

About
The focus of the BBFC is to focus on helping children and families choose well by
providing them with the guidance they need to help them choose what is right for
them and avoid what is not. The BBFC does thorough research to ensure that their
classifications are correct for
each film provided to the
public. The BBFC was
established in 1912 and was
started by the film industry.
The organisation is a non-
profit one and independent
meaning it is not run by the
government. With the huge
growth in film, video and
online content, and in how
and where we can watch and
use it, this is becoming more
important than ever. Through our experience, regular consultations and research, we
are careful to reflect the views of people right across the country. We understand
what matters to families and apply this knowledge in setting our standards .We take
the integrity and impartiality of our work very seriously and over the more than 100
years of our history, we have increasingly come to be recognised as the go-to guide
that people can trust. The structure of the BBFC and its management is designed to
both reflect and reinforce this.

Classification

Classification is the process of giving age ratings and content advice to films and
other audiovisual content to help children and families choose what’s right for them
and avoid what’s not. Recommendations are made by our Compliance Officers
based on the BBFC’s published Guidelines. These are the result of extensive
consultation with people right across the UK, research, and the BBFC’s more than
100 years of experience. They reflect people’s views on film, DVD, Blu-ray, video on
demand (VoD) regulation and are regularly updated. Films for cinema release are
usually seen by at least two of our Compliance Officers, and in most cases, their age
rating recommendation is approved by a Compliance Manager. If Compliance
Officers are in any doubt, if a film is on the borderline between two categories, or if
important policy issues are involved, it may be seen by other members of the BBFC,
up to and including the Chief Executive, the President and Vice Presidents.
Occasionally, we may also call for expert advice about the legal acceptability of film
content or its potential for harm. DVDs and VoD films and series are normally seen
by one Compliance Officer, but opinions from other Officers, the Compliance
Manager, the Head of Compliance and Board of Classification may be required for
more difficult content. Compliance Officers look at issues such as bad language,
dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence and sexual
violence, when making recommendations. They also consider context, tone and
impact - how it makes the audience feel - and even the release format - for example,
as DVDs, Blu-rays and VoD content are generally watched at home, there is a higher
risk of under-age viewing.

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. If a work is particularly
suitable for pre-school children, this will be indicated in the content advice.

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.

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 content advice for that film in advance. No one
younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.

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.

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.
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.

Film classification
The short-film I am producing is going to use the rules and regulation of the BBFC by
this we are also including a classification to what we believe our short-film should be,
for the short-film me and Will hoggarth both decided and agreed that it should be
rated a PG as the film does not contain any violent, nudity, or drug use as well as
other things however the content might involve some scenes that might not allow it to
be a universal rating where there will be verbal confrontations within it and could
upset younger children and that is why parental guidance is advised for our short-film