Certificate ratings – BBFC research: Adam

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-governmental company funded through the fees it charges to people who submit films and video works for classification. The BBFC classifies films on behalf of the local authorities who license cinemas under the Licensing Act of 2003. The BBFC classifies video works which are released as video recordings under the Video Recordings Act 1984. This includes things like video games that may depict human sexual activity, gross violence or other matters of concern.

The classification depends on a few criteria:

• For 12 years and over: Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed.  Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail. Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted. Dangerous behaviour e.g. hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Moderate language is allowed, The use of strong language must be infrequent.  Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.  Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.
• For 15 years and older:  The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.  Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behaviour e.g. hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied. There may be frequent use of strong language, aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity when displayed as non-sexual or educational. 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. No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
• For 18 years and over: there are no restrictions to what can be displayed in film with this catergory as the veiwers are old enough to choose what they want to see.

There are many laws which also govern the certification and making of films, these are:

• Human Rights Act 1998: The Act permits such restrictions on freedom of expression as are prescribed by law.
•  The Licensing Act 2003: Cinemas requires a licence from the local authority in which they operate. The licence must include a condition which requires the admission of children (under 18) to any film to be restricted in accordance with the recommendations of the BBFC or the licensing authority.
• The Video Recordings Act 1984: films, TV programmes and video games which are supplied on a disc, tape or any other device capable of storing data electronically must be classified by the BBFC.
• The Obscene Publications Act 1959 & 1964: It is illegal to publish a work which is obscene. A work is obscene if, taken as a whole, it has a tendency to deprave and corrupt.
• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008: It is illegal to be in possession of an extreme pornographic image. An extreme pornographic image is one which is pornographic and grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character.
• The Protection of Children Act 1978: It is illegal to make, distribute, show or possess indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.
• The Sexual Offences Act 2003: It is illegal to expose oneself with intent to cause alarm or distress – this offence augments the common law misdemeanour of indecent exposure.
• The Public Order Act 1986: It is illegal to distribute, show or play to the public a recording of visual images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting if the intention is to stir up racial hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.
• The Cinematograph Films Act 1937 for animals: It is illegal to show any scene ‘organised or directed’ for the purposes of the film that involves actual cruelty to animals.
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006: It is illegal to supply, publish or show or possess with intent to supply a video recording of an ‘animal fight’ that has taken place within Great Britain since 6 April 2007.
• The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002: It is illegal, in the course of a business, to publish a tobacco advertisement.