What is the BBFC?
BBFC is the UK's film and video regulator, they provide age ratings such as U, PG and 12A. this means that they have the legal power to rate, cut and sometimes reject films. These rating are on the front, back and spine of Dvd covers, enable for the viewer to know what ratings they are.
BBFC is the UK's film and video regulator, they provide age ratings such as U, PG and 12A. this means that they have the legal power to rate, cut and sometimes reject films. These rating are on the front, back and spine of Dvd covers, enable for the viewer to know what ratings they are.
U – Universal, suitable for all
Different children are upset by different things, so therefore it can be difficult to say what might upset a particular child. However, U films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay.
Different children are upset by different things, so therefore it can be difficult to say what might upset a particular child. However, U films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay.
PG - Parental Guidance
PG films can be viewed by all ages, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older
PG films can be viewed by all ages, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older
12 and 12A
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.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is followed by cinema staff. A cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. The 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. This is because adult accompaniment can not be enforced for children at home.The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.
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.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is followed by cinema staff. A cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. The 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. This is because adult accompaniment can not be enforced for children at home.The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.
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 you expect to see in a 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 you expect to see in a 15:
- 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
Films rated 18 are for adults. no one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 at the cinema of buy/rent an 18 rated video.
What you expect to see in a 18:
Films rated 18 are for adults. no one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 at the cinema of buy/rent an 18 rated video.
What you expect to see in a 18:
- 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