1. The guidelines of BBFC
By hajra mubashar

2. • The bbfc is an independent body funded through the films that it classifies
• it nationally classifies films distributed in the UK
• It is also responsible for the classification of certain video games, DVDs and
videos
• It must be stressed that the BBFC guidelines are not a legal document
• There are various acts that the BBFC have to consider such as the human
rights, licencing, the video recording act and many more
• These acts have to be acknowledged before making the decision on
classification

3. Mission- as quoted from bbfc
website
• ‘‘protect the public, and especially children, from content
which might raise harm risks
• empower the public, especially parents, to make informed
viewing choices
• recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law
• respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards
media content through proactive public consultation and
research
• provide a cost-effective, efficient classification service within
our statutory remit
• work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative
service models to provide content advice which support
emerging media delivery systems
• provide an effective service to enforcement agencies’’- BBFC
website mission statement

4. U- universal
• Universal is suitable for all, it should be generally suitable for audiences of
age four and over
• It should be suitable enough for a pre-school child to view unaccompanied
• There should be no references to drugs, no sexual nudity, kissing being the
strongest form of sexual behaviour, mild violence, no discriminatory
language, very brief scary references, sensitive and discreet themes that
don’t come across as too problematic
• There should be no dangerous behaviour that young people may be
inclined to mimic
• Mild bad language should be used as seldom as possible

5. PG- parental guidance
• PG, is basically general viewing, but some scenes may be
inappropriate for children
• It should not disturb children aged eight or older
• Again, any references to drugs should be not be provocative and
should perhaps carry an anti-drug message
• There a should be very mild bad language
• Anything that is completely prohibited at the U certificate is not
allowed but in discretion
• Sexual nudity for the purposes of pornography and voyeurism is
completely inappropriate

6. 12A and 12
• 12A/12 is suitable for ages 12 years and over
• Both have the same criteria
• Here the themes become more adult, allowing the
misuse of drugs but no glamorisation, horror should be
moderate and infrequent, sex can be briefly protrayed,
anything inappropriate for children can be shown to
young teenagers however it should not be empasised
• 12A is for cinema film, anyone younger than 12 cannot
rent or buy films with this certificate

7. 15
• Suitable for ages 15 and over, so nobody
under 15 can buy or rent a film certified 15
• There is very little limits on 15 films,
except that gory, sadistic or sexualised
images are not allowed
• Sexual activity should be in detail

8. 18
• Suitable for only adults
• Clear images of real sex, strong fetish
material
• Portrayal of harmful drugs, may cause
harm to public morals
• Stress on sexual themes rather than
violence or action

9. R18
• These sort of films are only allowed to be shown
in licensed sex shop, it is legally restricted
• It is essentially pornographic material for explicit
and indiscreet sex and fetish material
• There is no audiences consent and it is open
with potentially provocative material which could
possibly promote abusive sexual activity such as
rape