1. BBFC Classification

2. The ‘U’ stands for Universal. This means that a U film is suitable for audiences aged 4
years and over.
At U, only very mild bad language is used (for example ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Bad language
such as ‘bloody’ or ‘bugger’ may be included, where justified by the context.
Characters may be seen kissing or hugging and there may be references to sexual
behaviour (such as ‘making love’). However, no sexual behaviour, language or innuendo
may be portrayed.
Brief fight scenes and moments where characters are placed in danger may be included,
but moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will
be reassuring. ‘Baddie’ characters may carry or use weapons, but it can’t be
emphasised. Dangerous/imitable behaviour that may come across as safe or fun will not
be present.
A U film explores most themes, as long as the treatment is appropriate to a young
audience. However, U rated films does not necessarily mean that they are children’s
films. Many adult films – especially older works, are rated U because they don’t contain
any strong issues that may affect the audience.
Drugs are not usually prohibited in terms of illegal drugs or drugs misuse, unless there is
a very clear anti-drugs/educational message which can be understood by a younger
audience.

3. PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means that it is suitable for general viewing, but
some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb
children aged 8 or over. Parents should consider whether the content might upset
children younger than that.
Smoking and drinking may be glamorised and if a child is seen to do so, there should be
a clear message that this is bad. If drugs are mentioned/seen, a PG work should
emphasise that they are harmful.
Mild bad language (such as ‘s***’ or ‘son of a b****’) in a PG film, but the context and
delivery are always important. If the language is used aggressively, it may be passed at
the next category.
References to sex are acceptable if the activity talked about/shown is implied and
lacking in detail. If a child is unlikely to understand a reference, it may be passed as a
PG. Comedy can often lessen the impact of sexual references.
Blood may be portrayed in a PG, but we would not see how the injury was inflicted in
strong detail. As far as horror goes, there may only be some ‘jumpy’ moments and scary
scenes, but not realistic violence, horror/threat may be portrayed.
Realistic/easily accessible weapons – such as knives, will not be glamorised/focused on
in a PG work.
There may be passing references to illegal drugs/drugs misuse in a PG work, but there
should not be a strong focus upon it. Drug references may be permissible if there is a
clear anti-drugs/educational message likely to be understood by children over 8.

4. 12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can see the film unaccompanied. The ‘A’ stands for
‘accompanied’ and ‘advisory’. Children younger than 12 may see the film, only if they are
accompanied by an adult.
The overall tone of a film/DVD and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the
classification. For example, if a work has a very dark/unsettling tone which could disturb the
audience would be less likely to be passed as a 12A – even if the individual issues in the film
were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines.
The BBFC’s guidelines state that there may be strong language (such as ‘f***’) at a 12/12A.
But it must be infrequent. There is some allowance for puns on strong language in this
category. There may be moderate language (for example, terms such as ‘b****’ and ‘t***’).
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A, Verbal references should not go
beyond what is acceptable for young teenagers.
Moderate violence is allowed, but it should not go into detail. There should not be any
emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments. Weapons which are easily
accessible should not be glamorised. Sexual violence may only be implied. Such scenes
must also have a strong contextual justification.
Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing
sequences are not too frequent/sustained.
There may be infrequent sights of drugs misuse, but portrayal should not be glamorised or
provide instructional details.

5. 15 rated works are not suitable for those who are under 15 years of age.
15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works, they can include the following:
-Strong violence
-Frequent strong language (for example ‘f***’)
-Portrayals of sexual activity
-Strong verbal references to sex
-Sexual nudity
-Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
-Discriminatory language or behaviour
-Drug taking
At 15, there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (for example
‘f***’). There can occasionally be some strong terms (for example ‘c***’). But continued
or aggressive use will not be passed as a 15.
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language. But it must not
endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

6. Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18
rated DVD. 18 rated works are not suitable for children.
No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are allowed to pick their own entertainment within the law, so it is possible
that some themes at 18 may be offensive given to some adult viewers.
18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
•very strong violence
•frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’)
•strong portrayals of sexual activity
•scenes of sexual violence
•strong horror
•strong blood and gore
•real sex (in some circumstances)
•discriminatory language and behaviour
There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (eg ’f***') or even very strong language (eg ‘c***’) which can
be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.
There may be racist, homophobic or other ddscriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes
relating to this.
There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on
nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at
18.
At 18 violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. There may even be dwelling on the infliction
of pain or injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence.
At 18 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

7. BBFC In Our Opening Sequence
After analysing the different age certificates on the BBFC
website (www.bbfc.co.uk) we have concluded that our
opening sequence will be suitable for those in the age
rating of 12A. Although our target audience is aimed
for those in their mid teenage years, our opening
sequence however, does not contain strong language
nor sexual references or violent natures within.
However, some scenes may be a little bit unsettling to
those who are younger, in which our opening
sequence fits within the 12A guidelines. It is important
that we follow these rules during the filming and
editing process, to ensure that we are not ‘breaking’
the guidelines and create something that is not
suitable for the viewing audience.