G321 - Certification of Films

Certification/ Classification of film restricts access to material on the grounds of age to protect youths from damaging material. This is a legal obligation as it prevents film material from breaking the law. It protects audiences from items which may cause harm and considers broader public opinions in regard to language use.

The BBFC, which was created in 1912, certify all films in Britain and in 1984 the Video Recordings Act put the BBFC in charge of classifying all videos for home use. The BBFC has to note any dangerous or criminal activities on video or DVD and it is against the law in the UK to show films in which an animal has been harmed during production.

Classifications and Their Meanings:
U: Suitable for audiences aged 4 and above. In U films there is no references to illegal acts, violence, bad language, drugs, sexual behaviour or behaviour which young children may try to copy.

PG (Parental Guidance): Suitable for audiences aged 8 and above, some content could be unsettling to children and therefore parental supervision is advised for younger audience members. PG films will not contain any themes unsuitable for children but may explore challenging issues such as bullying. There may be mild uses of bad language however sex references are unlikely. There may be references towards drugs however it will take no strong focus. Violence will be mild, threats kept to a minimum and dangerous or antisocial behaviour will not be condoned. Illegal acts will not be glamourised in any way.

12A: Suitable for audiences aged 12 or above to see alone however, children younger than 12 can see the film with an adult. 12A films will not have a dark or unsettling tone and rare uses of bad language may occur. Discriminatory behaviour and language will not be endorsed at this age rating and sex may only be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate violence is acceptable however it will not dwell on detail however action sequences and weaponry may be present. Any weaponry accessible to 12 year olds must not be glamourised in any way. Sexual violence may only be discreetly referenced. Horror films may be passed at a 12A rating if horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained. Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed, there may be infrequent sight of drug misuse however this must not show any instructional detail and some dangerous behaviours, such as suicides, may be present.

12: Suitable for audiences aged 12 or above only. These films could have a dark or unsettling tone and rare uses of bad language may occur. Discriminatory behaviour and language will not be endorsed at this age rating and sex may only be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate violence is acceptable however it will not dwell on detail however action sequences and weaponry may be present. Any weaponry accessible to 12 year olds must not be glamourised in any way. Sexual violence may only be discreetly referenced. Horror films may be passed at a 12 rating if horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained. Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed, there may be infrequent sight of drug misuse however this must not show any instructional detail and some dangerous behaviours, such as suicides, may be present.

15: Suitable for audiences aged 15 or above only and no themes are prohibited in 15 films. There is likely to be strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour (including racism and homophobia) and drug use. There may also be a strong horror threat.

18: Suitable for audiences aged 18 or above only. There are no restrictions on theme in an 18. The can contain strong issues such as very strong violence, frequent and strong bad language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances) and discriminatory behaviour including racism and homophobia.

R18: 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 videos may not be supplied by mail order.

It is important to understand certification as our own film openings will need to be accurately certified based on the content of the entirety of the film.