BBFC Research

What is the BBFC?

The British Board of Film Classification is Non - governmental organisation that has classified cinema films since it was since it was set up. Their mission is to protect the public from harmful or offensive content.

What is classification? 

The BBFC have a set of specific guidelines, and they use these to classify films. Every 4-5 years, the BBFC carry out a major public consultation to find out what the public think about age ratings on films before they are released.

The U symbol stands for Universal. U rated films are usually films that are suitable for children over the age of four. There should be no swear words but the film may contain some bad language, such as words like 'damn'. The should also have no sexual behavior but it may contain kissing/cuddling. U rated films may also have some scenes that could come off as scary, which resolve in a good outcome.




PG stands for parental guidance, this means that the film is suitable for people aged 8 years or over but some scenes may be unsettling for younger ages or more sensitive children, this is why the parents should decide if the film is suitable for their child. It will not contain any themes that are not suitable for a child but it may contain some bullying or racism. There may also be mild swearing, but it will not be said in an angry manner and there will not be a excessive amount of it, if so the film may be passed at a higher category. PG films may also contain some jumpy scenes, but these will not be intense. Both drugs and sexual behaviour will not be a constant theme in a PG film but there maybe references aimed towards both, comedy films that are rated as a PG may do this through innuendos.

12 and 12A rated films are films that are suitable for people of the age 12 and over. No one under the age of 12 may see a 12A in the cinema unless they are accompanied by and adult. Some strong bad language is allowed, moderate violence is also allowed but it is not allowed to go into much detail. If justified, gore is also allowed in 12A films.

No one under the age of 15 can watch/buy/rent a 15 rated film. These films may contain strong language and sexual references, violence and drug taking. You also see cases of sexual assault, but this will only be brief.













If a film is rated 18, it means that the film is suitable for people 18 or over, some of the themes that are used in rated 18 films may even cause offence to some adults. These films can include real sex scenes strong horror. No theme is prohibited in 18 rated films. You may also see very strong language and scenes of sexual voilence or discrimination.



I feel that my groups film will be rated 15. This is because it will contain strong horror and violence. Our film may contain themes like Religion and Hell, which may be confusing for children under the age of 15.