Regulation Research

Guidelines of the BBFC

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is an independent body established in 1995. They classify all films taking into account content, language, genre and UK law. They are classified with one of the following certificates: U (universal), PG (parental guidance), 12 (only suitable for 12 or above), 12A (in cinemas only) (must be accompanied by an adult if under 12), 15, 18 or 18R (restricted).

Depending on the certificate, people will know what to expect in the film. Films that portray violence as a normal solution to problems, heroes who inflict pain and injury, rudeness towards victims, the encouragement of aggressive attitudes, content that shows characters taking pleasure in pain or humiliation are likely to receive a higher certificate. 

I plan on making my film a 15 Certificate - the guidelines are as follows…

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not promote 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 accepted.

Horror

Strong threat and hazard are permitted "unless sadistic

or sexualised."

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and

self-harming) should not be explicit on detail that could be

copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be promoted.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms  may be acceptable 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. "Work 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.

The genre of our film is crime/gangster which means our film may include to have violence, bad language and bad behaviour.

These guidelines will determine what is in our film to make it appropriate for the 15 certificate.

Doing this has informed me of what I can and can't put in my 2 minute film to make it suitable for the certificate I want it to be.. For example in my film there is a fight scene, following the guidlines we will be able to show this but we can't dwell on the induries inflicted from the fight.