The document provides information on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) film rating system. It explains the criteria for films rated U (universal), PG (parental guidance), 12A, 15, and 18. A U film is suitable for ages 4 and over, while a PG film should not unsettle children aged 8 or older. Films rated 12A and 12 contain material not generally suitable for those under 12 without adult accompaniment. Films rated 15 and 18 contain increasingly strong violence, language, sexual content and themes unsuitable for younger viewers. The ratings aim to help audiences, especially parents, make informed viewing choices according to age appropriateness.

1. AGE RATINGS - FILMS

2. The U symbol stands for Universal.
A U film should be suitable for
audiences aged four years and over.
However, it is impossible to predict
what might upset a particular child,
especially at this lower end of the
category range. ‘U’ they only allow
infrequent use of very mild bad
language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’)
and violence.
A children’s work at U will generally contain
positive messages about loyalty, honesty and
friendship, particularly amongst children. The
film or video may well have a happy ending
for the child and the overall tone should be one
of reassurance. Characters may be seen kissing
or cuddling and there may be references to
sexual behaviour. However, there will be no
overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or
innuendo.
U

3. PG stands for Parental Guidance. This
means a film is suitable for general
viewing, but some scenes may be
unsuitable for young children. A PG
film should not unsettle a child aged
around eight or older. Parents should
consider whether the content may
upset younger, or more sensitive,
children.
PG A PG film will not contain
any theme which is
inappropriate for a child. PG
works can explore
challenging issues such as
bullying, bereavement or
racism. There may be mild
bad language (such as ‘shit’ or
‘son of a bitch’) in a PG film,
but the context and delivery
are always important. For
example, if the language is
used aggressively or if there
is a great deal of bad
language, a work may be
passed at a higher category.

4. Films classified 12A and
video works classified 12
contain material that is not
generally suitable for
children aged under 12. No
one younger than 12 may
see a 12A film in a cinema
unless accompanied by an
adult. Adults planning to
take a child under 12 to
view a 12A film should
consider whether the film is
suitable for that child. To
help them decide, we
recommend that they check
12A 12 The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child
under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. The BBFC's
Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may
be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in
which it is used. At 12A, moderate violence is allowed
but it should not dwell on detail and some horror films
are passed at this category. Moderate physical and
psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long
as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained
and the overall tone is not disturbing

5. 15
No-one under 15 is allowed to see a
15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a
15 rated video. 15 rated works are
not suitable for children under 15
years of age.
What might you see in a 15 rated film or
video?
• Strong violence
• Frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***')
• Portrayals of sexual activity
• Strong verbal references to sex
• Sexual nudity
• Brief scenes of sexual violence
• Discriminatory language or behaviour
• Drug taking
At 15 there can be strong threat and
horror as long as there is no
sustained focus on sadistic or
sexualised threat and they consider
the risk of potential harm to
impressionable teenagers. For
example, dangerous behaviour such
as hanging, suicide and self-harming
should not dwell on detail which
could be copied.

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 video. No
18 rated works are suitable for
children. At 18, horror films
may contain very strong horror,
gore or sustained threat and
drug taking may be shown but
the work as a whole must not
promote or encourage drug
18
What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or video?
18 works 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, blood and gore
• Real sex (in some circumstances)
• Discriminatory language and behaviour

7. NOCTURNAL – Thriller
For my thriller I would rate it a 15 meaning no one under the age of 15 is allowed
to view it at the cinema, rent or buy the film.
Nocturnal may contain;
• Strong language
• Horror
• Blood and gore (not enough to rate it a 18)
At 15 there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus
on sadistic or sexualised threat and ‘Nocturnal’ does meet these guidelines. We
have considered the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. E.g.
dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming and how they
should not dwell on detail which could be copied and we do not anticipate of
having any of these actions included in our thriller.
15