Film Certification

Film Certification

Who decides the certificates given to a film?

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) decides the certificates that are given to a film.  They do this to protect children from sights that they shouldn’t be exposed to.

How do they decide?

BBFC watch the films all the way through and award a suitable age rating for the film.  To reach an age rating, they apply the standards and criteria of their Classification Guidelines.  Usually, two examiners view a film to make sure it is suitable for theatrical release.  In most cases, they will have a senior examiner confirming their choices.  The same process is done before DVD and Blu-Ray releases.  When watching the movies, they take into account the language used, nudity, sex, drugs and violence before making their decision.

What does each film certificate mean?

U stands for Universal.  This means the movie is suitable for audiences aged four or above.  Films that are rated U are aimed at very young viewers.  Most U’s are animated but they are always directed towards younger children.

PG stands for Parental Guidance.  Some PG films are not made for younger audiences but younger people may watch if they have their parents’ permission.  The certificate means that any issues in the film are appropriate for majority of the age groups and nothing should be too upsetting for a child aged 8 or over.

12A and 12 rated movies are suitable for people ages 12 or over.  To see a 12A in the cinema, younger people can watch it if they are accompanied by an adult. 

15 means that nobody under the age of 15 can see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a film rated 15.  Films rated 15 may contain strong violence, strong language and portrayals of sexual activity.      

The rating of 18 means that the films are rated specifically for adults.  In an 18 there is usually strong violence and language and may contain strong horror (in horror movies).  Other movies may include scenes of sexual violence.