BBFC

The British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, self - financing, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation,  funded by the film industry. It is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films inside the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010.

On their website they have written about how they classify films to inform the public the reasons and criteria for this classification.

There mission is to protect the public, especially children, from content that may rise harm risks. They also want to allow public, especially parents, to make informed viewing choices. They recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law and respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media content through public consultation and research. They provide a cost-effective, efficient classification service within the legal framework. They also work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative service models to provide content advice which support emerging media delivery systems and provide an effective service to enforcement agencies.

The Classification categories 

'U' means Universal so it should be suitable for audiencesaged four years and over. It is also impossible to predict what may upset a particular child  especially at such a low age.

For children younger than 4 years some productions are aimed at very young children, classified as a 'U' but have no issues of  discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme or violence.
There is only very mild language and rarely words such as 'bloody' or 'bugger' may be included but justified by the context.

They may include brief fight scenes or parts where the characters are in danger. Moments of emotional stress or threat will quickly be sorted and the outcome will be happy.

A 'U' film can cover most themes as long as the content is appropriate for the audience. Most 'U' films will most of the time contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship, particularly amongst children. They will always end in a happy ending, to reasure the child.

There will never normally be references to drugs in a 'U' movie unless there is a very clear message about drugs which will be understood by the young audience.


'PG’ stands for Parental Guidance, which means the film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children. 

Not all 'PG' films are made for younger audiences; some may have been films or documentaries that weren't thinking of directing it at a young audince but were made a 'PG'. This means that the work is appropriate for the majority of this age group.

The themes passed in a 'PG' work would be anything as long as it is appropriate of the age group; they can explore issues such as domestic violence, bereavement or racism. If there are any drugs or alcohol references in the work then it has to have a clear message with it showing that it is bad and harmful.

There isnt usually much bad language in a 'PG' film but in some cases, like an agressive scene, they are allowed minor sewear words such as 'son of a bitch' and 'shit' but if there is too much bad language then the film would get passed as the next category down. 

References to sex are acceptable if the activity talked about or shown is implied and lacking in detail. In addition, if a child is unlikely to understand a reference, we may allow it at ‘PG’. 

In a 'PG' film there shouldnt be any reference of violence, maybe some blood but the audince wouldnt see how this happened. You are allowed 'jump' moments and scary scenes to get a feel of a horror film but nothing more and nothing prolonged. 

If there is a risk that children would copy potenially dangerous behaviour then the film is unlikely going to be passed as a 'PG', especially if it comes across fun or safe. No easily accesible weapons would be glamourized in a 'PG' work.

There may be references to drugs in a 'PG' but nothing too detailed and as long as there is a clear message with it.

The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'.  '12A' means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied.  Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them. 
 

The '12' certificate is just for videos, DVDs and games.  '12A' is for films only.

There is no lower age limit for a '12A' film but BBFS recomends not to take very young children to see them as they may have content in which is unsuitable for them.

The overall tone of a film, DVD or video game, and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. For example, a work which has a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would less likely be passed as a ‘12A’ even if the individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines. Similarly, if a work is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category.

Strong lanugae is allowed in a '12' or '12A' but only irreguarly but if the language is too frequent and agressive then the film could get pushed to a '15'. Discriminatory language isn't normally accepted in a '12' or '12A' film if it is too agressive or frequent and so it would be pushed down to a '15'.

 

'12A' films may contain brief amd discret sex scenes. Verbal sex references shouldn't go beyond what is suitable for a young teenage audience. Brief nuditiy is allowed.

In a '12A' film moderate violence is allowed but not with great detail. There shouldn't be gory sceneces, only moments which can be justified by its content. Sexual violence is only allowed if briefm discret and with strong contextual justification.

Some horror films are  passed as '12A's as moderate physical and psychological threats are permitted if not too frquent or sustained.

Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging, suicide and self-harming) may be present in ‘12’ or ‘12A’ works but will be breif and will not dwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities as pain or harm free. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds should not be glamorised in ‘12A’ and ‘12’ works. Discriminatory behaviour should not be used by the film as a whole.There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a ‘12’ or a ‘12A’ but they should not be glamorised or provide instructional details.