Film Certificates

1. Film Certificates
BY JESS MARSHALL

2. About the BBFC
The British Board of Film Classification is an
independent company, set up in 1912 which gives age
ratings to films prior to theatrical release and videos/
DVDs since theVideo Recordings Act was passed in
1984.

3. Main Age Ratings
• U – Suitable for all
• PG – Parental Guidance
• 12A – Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
• 12 –Video release suitable for 12 years and over
• 15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over
• 18 - Suitable only for adults
There are six main age ratings in the UK:

5. What age rating would my film be?
The content of my short film may be frightening to a younger audience particularly as they
will empathise with the main protagonist of the film, however it is a short film and isn’t as in
depth as a full film might be, so the certificate can be narrowed down to either a 12 or 15.
WHAT MIGHT BE SEEN IN A FILM WITH AN AGE RATING OF 12?
• Theme - Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
• Language -The use of strong language (eg 'f***') 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.

6. What age rating would my film be?
The content of my short film may be frightening to a younger audience particularly as they
will empathise with the main protagonist of the film, however it is a short film and isn’t as in
depth as a full film might be, so the certificate can be narrowed down to either a 12 or 15.
WHAT MIGHT BE SEEN IN A FILM WITH AN AGE RATING OF 15?
• Language - At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. ‘f***’).
Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency and any
special contextual justification. However, continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15.
• Sex and Nudity - At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category.
Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will usually be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.
• Violence - at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.
• Imitable techniques - Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
• Horror - At 15 there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
• Drugs - At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail).
The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15.

7. What age rating would my film be?
Looking through the guidelines the BBFC have set on films with an
age rating of 12 and 15. I feel that my would more likely have an age
rating of 12 because most of the threat and consequences are
implied or left to the audiences interpretation rather than being
shown on screen
My film’s theme is a little ambiguous, it could be abduction, violence
or even supernatural. However I don’t feel any of this is shown
explicitly enough to mean the film needed a rating of 15.There is
one reference to a ‘predator on the loose’ in the radio
announcement, which may frighten younger viewers, however this
would be still be acceptable in the 12 category.There are no direct
sexual references or nudity and profanity.
The frightening scene is psychological as opposed to physical
violence or gore, so therefore our film would fit mostly into the
guidelines of an age rating 12 film, as the content wouldn’t be strong
enough to be awarded an 15 rating.