Research into the BBFC

The BBFC is an independent, non governmental body which classifies film into a age category based upon the content within certain media platforms.

From researching into the BBFC, I have looked at the variety of age ratings and what content each of these age categories can include within a film.



 U

•  Films or videos with this rating should raise no significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs,, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence.
• Can be suitable for under 4 year olds

  


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.
• may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’)

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
• Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12
• At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail
• Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12
• Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12

15

Any of the following:

•   strong violence
•  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
•   portrayals of sexual activity
•   strong verbal references to sex
•   sexual nudity
•   brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
•   discriminatory language or behaviour
•   drug taking

18
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
•   strong blood and gore
•   real sex (in some circumstances)
•   discriminatory language and behaviour

 R18

• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops