BBFC Guildlines

Who are the BBFC:


The BBFC is a British non government body that decided the classification of films due to their content.


Main Issues:


Discrimination: The use of offensive materials referring to gender, ethnic backgrounds, disability, sexuality, age and religion. Also its impact of its present in the film will have an effect on its classification. My film will show no discrimination towards any groups as our films focus is not on the view of a group from other's point of view.

Drugs: The use of drugs must not be shown in a way which makes it seem glamorous or promote the misuse of drugs. It should not be shown as a glamorous activity in films for younger viewers. The film will show only the use of alcohol for a short amount of time. I'm using alcohol in my film because it shows the stereotype of teenagers: that they are known for going out drinking at parties.

Horror: Though some people enjoy scary sequences the level of horror in films can have a dramatic effect on the classification. Even though children like to be scared sometimes the classification of the film helps to stop then from getting too much of an intense experience. There will be no horror in my film as it does not fit the genre that my film is. It also has no place in the events that take place.

Imitable Behaviour:  This is behaviour which is dangerous to be copied such as; self-harming, suicide etc and also violence towards others and the use of assessable weapons SHOULD NOT be glamorised. There will be no imitable behavior in my film as it would be inappropriate for my classification.

Language: In some films there are a uses of a variety of swear words to expresses a majority of emotions such as anger, hatred and sometimes sadness. For example: 'fuck', 'shit' and 'bitch'. Swear words will only be acceptable if the use of them is justified. Obsessive amount of swearing on the hand will not be acceptable. There will be a small amount of swear words in this film to express the characters anger and sadness in the film.

Nudity: There aren't any constraints on nudity in films of an educational or non-educational nature. Nudity will be allowed if context is of a sexual nature. There will be not nudity in my film as its inappropriate for my films classification.

Sex: There cannot be any strong reference to sexual activities. Ex specially if not related to the films context. There will be no strong references to sexual activities within my film but there will be a few glimpses of kissing in the film which is kept discreet. Other that that there is no sexual content in the film.

Theme: There are no themes that are not aloud to be shown to 12 year olds. As long as they aren't of a mature nature.Films that are aimed at children at the age of 12 and above are able to use a variety of themes to make the film exciting as long as the more extreme themes of a sexual or violent nature are kept discreet and are not the aim focus of the film.

Violence: There will be some use of violence, but it cannot be graphic or gory. References to sexual violence must be kept very discreet and must have a very strong justification for its use. There will be no violence shown within my film as it is not relevant to the story's tale.

The certificates of films:


U - A film with this certificate should be acceptable for viewing by children over the age of 4 due to there being no drugs a very small amount of sexual activity (kissing), use of 'menacing' violence, brief horror just enough to not cause the viewer to become scared.


PG - Are films that should be watches with a parent's guidance. Tend to carry an 'Anti drug' messages. No glamorisation of easily accessed weapons or dangerous behaviours that a child could copy.


12A / 12 - Are films that are for kids of 12 and above. 12A's are only found in the cinemas. Brief discriminatory language and behaviour. Use of drugs are infrequent if used. Dangerous behavior is used but do not dwell on the details to prevent children from copying them. Nudity is allowed but any sexual context and must be brief and discreetly portrayed. Moderation of violence is used but they cannot dwell on details.


15 - For teenagers of 15 and over. Drug use is shown but is not promoted or provide encouragement for its misuse. There will be brief use of strong swear words but it will not be repeatedly aggressive. Nudity and sexual activities will be shown but not with strong details. Violent content is strong but does not dwell on the gore or the infliction of pain.


18 - Only suitable for adults. Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, erotics or endorse sexual assault


R18 - To be shown only in licenced cinemas and sex shops and can only be sold to adults older than 18.Any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959. Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults. The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent.


The certificate of my film.



Discrimination:Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language: Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence: 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. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

The effect on the material types i can and cannot use in my film:


There are no big dramatic changes in the materials type i can use in my film. The material I had already chosen to make up my film where all suitable for the viewing of a 12 year old. There was no violence. No strong sexual activities only perhaps a brief view of kissing. The will be no discrimination of any type in any shape or form. No nudity. No Horror. No theme restrictions. There is going to be brief exclamation's of swearing that will be infrequent. Only drug used is alcohol which will not be glamorised or promoted. No use of imitable behavior as it would be unacceptable for my chose of classification.