Film Certificates

Taken from the The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) website are a list of the ratings and what is seen as acceptable for the particular rating. This is for research into what rating to give our film.

Videos classified 'Uc' are particularly suitable for pre-school children and normally raise none of the issues set out below.

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Theme;
Treatment of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate for a younger audience.
Language;
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity;
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex;
Mild sexual behaviour (eg kissing) and references only (eg to ‘making love’).
Violence;
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Imitable techniques;
No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
Horror;
Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take account of the presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.
Drugs;
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a clear educational purpose or clear anti-drug message suitable for the audience.

'PG' Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Theme;
Where more serious issues are featured (eg domestic violence, racist abuse) nothing in their treatment should condone the behaviour.
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.
Violence;
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).
Imitable techniques;
No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons. No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
Horror;
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Drugs;
Any references to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

12A – Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

Theme;
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language;
The use of strong language (eg 'fuck') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity;
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
Sex;
Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence;
Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques;
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror;
Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs;
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.

'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over
No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

Theme;
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language;
There may be frequent use of strong language. But the strongest terms will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive 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 but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence;
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques;
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror;
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs;
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

'18' – Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
• the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' - rated R18.

We have decided to rate our film with the 15 certificate because it would fit into the criteria needed for it to be a 15. It involves images and a storyline which would psychologically harm a younger child and may disturb them. A result of watching this may cause a younger child to have nightmares because the film 'plays with your mind' and a child may think it's real and be scared. There will be scenes of horror, violence, use of strong language, and sexual references in this film which we find will be only suitable for ages 15 and over.