BBFC classification guidelines (what we can learn from this)

TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH



The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) was established in 1912 and is n independent, non-governmental body.

The BBFC watch both adverts and films the whole way through and then determine the age rating which will be applied to these films. A criteria establishes what rating a film will receive. Here are a few examples of ratings and their criteria.




U rating - Universal and suitable for all
Although it is impossible to predict what will upset any one child in general a U should be appropriate viewing for all age groups. Films with this rating should work within a positive moral framework and any scenes of terror or acts of violence should be balance and should offer reassurance to the viewers.


Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless 
clearly disapproved of. 
Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless 
they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear
educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable 
for young children.
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to
cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome
should be reassuring.
Imitable behaviour
No potentially dangerous behaviour which young 
children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic 
or easily accessible weapons.
Language
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex
Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and 
references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
Theme
While problematic themes may be present, their 
treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for 
young children.
Violence
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or 
menace only.












PG- Parental Guidance. Generally appropriate for children although some scene may cause distress for young children so parental discretion is advised.


Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to 
be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an
educational or historical context. Discrimination by 
a character with which children can readily identify 
is unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be
innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or
intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Imitable behaviour
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which
young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation 
of realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Language
Mild bad language only.
Nudity
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be 
discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and 
innuendo only.
Theme
Where more serious issues are featured (for example,
domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should 
condone unacceptable behaviour. 
Violence
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed,
if justified by its context (for example, history, 
comedy or fantasy).





15- suitable only for people aged 15 or over.


Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory 
language or behaviour.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not
promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily
accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example,
aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic 
or sexualised.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and
self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be
copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example,
‘fuck’). The strongest terms  may beacceptable if justified
 by the context. Aggressive or repeated
use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without
strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a 
non-sexual or educational context.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour,
but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable
unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is
sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is 
appropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction
of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to
be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also
unlikely to be acceptable. 
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence
but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and
have a strong contextual justification.





18 - suitable only for people aged 18 or over


In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public
consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the
BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override
the principle that adults should be free to choose their
own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the
following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, 
or has been created through the commission of a 
criminal offence

• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to 
risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, 
to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of 
violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, 
which may cause harm to public health or morals. 
This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised 
violence which might, for example, eroticise or 
endorse sexual assault


What can we learn from this?

From examining the criteria it is likely the groups short film sequence will fall between ratings PG or 15 however because of the nature of the work an entire film would likely receive a rating of 15. The only criteria for these guidelines which we are likely to cross are themes, horror  and potentially language. I doubt the sequence will contain any of the other areas of criteria therefore are film will be targeted to an audience of 15 or older.

Joseph Power