BBFC-The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.
CinemaThe British Board of Film Censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films we reject, banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction to edit.
CinemaThe British Board of Film Censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films we reject, banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction to edit.
12 or 12A rating means the film is not suitable for children under 12. The difference between a 12 and 12A is a 12A if you are under 12 you have to watch it with an adult. it also means it cant be sold to anyone under the age of 12.
• Theme - Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
• Language - The use of strong language must be infrequent. Racist language used as abuse is also a concern.
• Nudity - Nudity is allowed, but it must be brief and discreet if there is any suggestion of sex.
• Sex - Sex can be suggested. Sex references may reflect what 12 year olds are likely to have heard about from school, but there should be nothing unsuitable for young teenagers. Frequent rude sex references may not be allowed.
• Violence - Violence must not dwell on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
• Imitable techniques - Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on things which can be copied or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be shown as glamorous.
• Horror - There can be some threat and menace, including scary scenes which are intense or last a while. Only occasional gory moments can be shown.
• Drugs - Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be shown as glamorous, or attractive, or teach viewers how to take drugs.
• Discrimination - The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behaviour that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behaviour is unacceptable unless it is clearly disapproved of.
a 15 rating means if you are under 15 you can't watch it but anyone over 15 can watch it . To be rated 15 it has to follow these rules:
Discrimination -The work as a whole must not support discriminatory language or behaviour, although it can include racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.
Drugs- Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances for example, aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable.
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
Language-There can be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Nudity- There are no restrictions nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but without strong detail.
Sex -Sexual activity may be portrayed, but without strong detail. There can be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.
Threat - There can be strong threat and horror. A continued focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
Violence -Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.
An 18 rated film means no one under 18 can see it or purchase it in a shop
18 labelled films are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
However, cuts are occasionally made to 18 rated films and DVDs. Intervention is most likely in the following areas:
18 labelled films are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
- very strong violence
- frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘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
However, cuts are occasionally made to 18 rated films and DVDs. Intervention is most likely in the following areas:
- where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
- where material or treatment appears to us to risks harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual violence which might, for example, make rape look appealing, reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence
- where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in R18 works and, in ‘sex works’, would normally be confined to that category.
we are aiming for an audience around the age of 15+ because below 15 we will be restricted a lot more and we don't want it to be an 18 because it limits the number of people who can watch it. 15 year olds are also more open to new genres and wanting to view the horror realms that we produce in our films. By giving them a glance at this in our trailer we will also be preparing them for more films we produce and interest them to come and see our most recent.