The BBFC- British board of

film classification

Who are the BBFC?

The BBFC is UKs regulator of film and video,
providing age, they have legal powers to rate, and
in rare cases even cut or reject work- meaning that
the BBFC is a designated body. They also are
responsible for age rates for online materials. This is
all done to protect children from unsuitable and
even harmful content in films. This body gives
consumers information they might need about a
certain film or video before deciding whether or not
to watch it by examines and analysing films before
they release-ensuring the highest possible level of
protection and empowerment.

How does the classification of

ratings work?
They watch the films and videos all the way through and
then decide and award an age rating and insight to each
one. BBFC reach their decision of age rating by applying
the standards and criteria contained in their
classification guidelines.
Two examiners view the film for theatrical release, (in
most cases a Senior Examiner will confirm the
examiners recommendation-however if the examiners
are in any doubt or fail to agree). If important policy
issues are involved, the work may be seen by other
members of the board, including the Director and
Presidential team. This is the same process for DVDs
and Blu-rays.

What are they looking for when

deciding the age rate?
The BBFC look at issues such as;
discrimination
drugs
horror
dangerous and easily imitable behaviour
Language
Nudity
Sex and violence when making a decision .

What impact does the release formant of the

work have on the age rating of the BBFC ?

The release formant has a huge impact on

classification, their decisions on the age ratings of
DVDs and Blu-rays occasionally can be stricter than
they would be at the cinema because of the higher
risk of underage viewing in the home and a great
potential for watching scenes out of context.

Rating my own production.

If I were to rate my own production, I would give it a
BBFC age rating of 15.
Ill personally say 15 because younger children can
be effected by the content, leading to parental
complaints. However the next age rating up is an
18, which I believe is too high as my production is
made to relate to teenagers of todays society and
even act like a moralised film- creating awareness
of people whom may be there to harm you exposing
the signs to look for.