Film Certification

Film Certification

Introduction

Every 4-5 years, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) carries out a major “public consultation exercise” in order to find out what the public thinks about the age rating of films/videos before they are released, and whether they believe that the BBFC’s classification standards meet public concerns. If there are changes in public attitudes towards ratings, then the BBFC re-regulates its standards and criteria accordingly.

The BBFC state that they follow two particular principles:

“To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content¹. To empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions².”

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202014_0.pdf

The BBFC’s guidelines rate from ‘U’ to ‘R18’

U

The ‘U’ symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for viewers aged four years and over.

Films and videos aimed at very young viewers, such as Chuggington or Tinga Tinga Tales are rated U. However, the BBFC gives them ‘special BBFCinsight’ stating they are ‘particularly suitable for pre-school children³’. Films or videos with this BBFCinsight typically should not raise significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence. Additionally, at U rating only infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’) is permitted.

Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no obvious focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.

Violence is generally very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring. There may also be brief scary scenes and, as with violence, those particular scenes should be controlled by comforting elements, such as comic interludes or music. ‘Bad’ characters may carry/use weapons, but there will be no emphasis on them; child or ‘good’ characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon. Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour that young children may copy, is clearly disapproved of and disallowed.

At U there is not normally be references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there is a very clear anti-drugs or educational message which would be understood by a younger audience. Drugs references which are unlikely to be understood by young children that are brief may occasionally be passed at U.

PG

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.
A PG film shouldn’t contain themes considered inappropriate for a child. However, they can explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism.
There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’), but the context and delivery are important in determining appropriateness. For example, if the language is used aggressively or if there is a lot of bad language, the film/video may be passed at a higher age rating.
Sex references are unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent. In addition, if a child is unlikely to understand a reference, it may be allowed. Comedy can also often minimise the impact of sex references and innuendo.
Violence will usually be mild. There should be no detail of violence, just mild reference. It is generally more acceptable in a historical, comedic or fantasy setting, because of the distancing they provide from the theme. In terms of threat and horror, some 'jumpy’ moments are allowed, as long as they are not prolonged or intense.
Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy, such as bullying, will not be condoned, especially if it comes across as safe or fun. Easily accessible weapons, such as knives, will not be made positive or focused on in a PG film/video. Smoking and drinking will not be promoted or made positive, and if child characters are seen smoking or drinking, there should be a clear message that it is bad. If drugs are mentioned or seen, it should emphasise that they are harmful.
12/12A
Films classified 12A and those classified as 12 may 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. It is for the adult to decide whether or not it is suitable for a person under the age of 12.
The 12A certification requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12 certificate is used for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A.
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, who is using the language, its frequency and any contextual justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category as home use cannot be controlled.
Any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12A or 12 unless it is clearly condemned.
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet.
At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).
Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.
Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.
Yes, 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.
Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will not dwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are likely to copy.
Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed.
There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide instructional detail.