Kara Sears
In the UK, all films that are shown publicly are required by law to have an age rating. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is responsible for classifying films and ensuring that their content is suitable for the audience. The BBFC was founded in 1912 and is one of the oldest film rating systems in the world. It uses a set of published guidelines, based on extensive public consultation and research, to determine the appropriate age rating for a film. These guidelines are updated regularly to reflect the changing social norms and values of the UK public. While the BBFC provides recommended ratings, local county councils are ultimately responsible for film ratings within their areas and can choose to ignore or override the BBFC's decisions. This leads to variations in film ratings across different counties in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organisation responsible for film ratings in the UK | British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) |
| Year of introduction | 1912 |
| Types of content rated | Films, home videos, DVDs, VoD films and series |
| Types of content no longer rated | Video games (except sexually explicit material) |
| Classification criteria | Language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence, sexual violence, context, tone, impact, release format |
| Classification categories | U, PG, 12A, 12, 18, R18 |
| Classification guidelines | Based on extensive public consultation, research, and accumulated experience; updated every 4-5 years |
| Reclassification process | Film company submits film for a new classification |
| Compliance | Compliance Officers ensure content is classified for appropriate audiences and does not cause harm, especially to children; they also consider other laws, such as animal protection |
| Local council involvement | Local councils have the power to ignore BBFC decisions and assign their own age ratings for films shown in cinemas in their area |
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What You'll Learn
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
The BBFC's rating system was introduced in 1912 and initially featured two categories: U and A. In 1932, an H category was added, which was later changed to X in 1951. An AA category was introduced in 1970, and the board's name was changed to the British Board of Film Classification in the 1980s to reflect the shift from censorship to classification. The rating names were also changed during this decade, except for the U rating, which stands for Universal.
The BBFC's classification decisions are based on a published set of standards known as the Classification Guidelines, which outline the acceptable content at each rating level. These guidelines are updated every four to five years following extensive public consultation and research. The BBFC also has the authority to refuse to rate or ban a work if it is deemed unsuitable for classification or contains potentially illegal content under UK law.
Compliance Officers are responsible for viewing and assessing content based on issues such as language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, and violence. They also consider context, tone, and impact, as well as the release format. If a film falls between two categories or raises policy issues, it may be reviewed by other members of the BBFC, including the Chief Executive and President.
In recent years, the BBFC has adapted to the rise of digital media and online streaming platforms. In 2019, Netflix partnered with the BBFC to classify its content in the United Kingdom using BBFC ratings, addressing parents' concerns about inappropriate content. The BBFC is a self-funded organisation that operates on a not-for-profit basis, charging fees for classifying films and videos.
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BBFC Compliance Officers
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an organisation that rates films and home videos in the United Kingdom. The BBFC employs a wide variety of staff, including Compliance Officers, who are responsible for watching and rating films.
Compliance Officers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and do not require specific qualifications. However, experience in areas such as media regulation, law, and child development is important, as is a broad knowledge of film and age rating issues are important prerequisites. They are expected to have a strong understanding of contemporary and historical films and a passion for cinema.
A typical day for a Compliance Officer involves watching and evaluating content for around seven hours. They view a variety of material, from blockbuster films to classic TV series and streaming service releases. Compliance Officers work independently or in pairs, depending on the nature of the content. They consider issues such as language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence, and sexual violence, while also taking into account context, tone, and impact on the audience.
After viewing, Compliance Officers log their recommendations and write concise reports highlighting key issues. They also provide short and long ratings information, which can be found on the Black Card displayed before a film in cinemas and on the BBFC website, respectively. Compliance Meetings are held weekly to discuss the films watched and share experiences. Compliance Officers may also perform cuts checks to ensure specific shots have been removed and suggest cuts to help films achieve their desired age rating.
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BBFC Classification Guidelines
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit, co-regulatory body that rates films and home videos in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1912 as the British Board of Film Censors, and its current guidelines identify several specific areas that are considered when awarding certificates or requiring cuts. These include:
- Depictions of cruelty, harassment, or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability.
- Adult themes and situations that may be too distressing for younger or more sensitive viewers.
- Offensive language, including profanity and the use of racial and ethnic slurs.
- Dangerous actions that can be easily imitated by younger viewers, such as certain combat moves (e.g. headbutts and neck-breaking).
- All references to suicide, especially those that involve graphic details or methods.
- Detailed depictions of criminal acts, such as breaking and entering or hotwiring a car.
- Actions that result in injury or death, particularly those that are often portrayed without negative consequences in media aimed at younger audiences.
The BBFC's guidelines are shaped by extensive public consultation and are updated every four to five years to reflect changing public tastes, attitudes, and concerns. They are not a legal document, but rather a set of standards to guide classification decisions. The BBFC provides age classifications and publishes detailed ratings information for individual films, including descriptions of specific scenes or content that may be of concern to viewers. These ratings are intended to help children and families make informed choices about the films they watch.
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County council powers
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an organisation that rates films and home videos in the United Kingdom. The rating system was introduced in 1912 and is one of the oldest rating systems in existence today. While the BBFC sets the standards for film ratings, county council authorities are ultimately responsible for film ratings for cinema showings in their area. This is because one county's view of a film may differ from another county's view.
County councils have the power to ignore the BBFC-advised rating and assign a different BBFC certificate for films screened in their county. This means that a film may have different ratings in different counties. In addition, county councils can approve screenings of films that have not yet been rated by the BBFC to facilitate events such as film festivals.
The BBFC's classification guidelines outline the range of content issues considered and what is acceptable at each rating level from U to 18 and R18. Compliance officers review issues such as language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence, and sexual violence. They also take into account the context, tone, and impact on the audience, as well as the release format. The BBFC updates its guidelines every four to five years to reflect the changing expectations and values of people across the UK.
While the BBFC provides recommended ratings, the ultimate authority for film ratings in cinemas rests with the county councils. This allows for local interpretation and ensures that film ratings are aligned with the values and perspectives of the specific county. County councils have the flexibility to make exceptions and facilitate the screening of unrated films for special events, demonstrating their discretionary power in the film rating process within their jurisdictions.
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Reclassification
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an organisation that rates films and home videos in the UK. The rating system was introduced in 1912, making it one of the oldest rating systems in existence today. While the BBFC advises on film ratings, local county authorities are ultimately responsible for film ratings for cinema showings in their area.
The BBFC's classification decisions are based on published standards known as the Classification Guidelines, which are updated every four to five years to reflect the expectations and values of people across the UK. The guidelines outline the range of content issues considered and what is acceptable at each rating level from U to 18 and R18. Compliance officers consider issues such as language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence, and sexual violence, as well as context, tone, and impact.
In some cases, films may be reclassified due to specific concerns or requests from distributors. For instance, in 2010, the BBFC cut two minutes and thirty-one seconds from the Hindi film Anjaana Anjaani to remove references to suicide, allowing the distributor to obtain a 12A certificate for cinema release. Similarly, The Hunger Games (2012) underwent cuts to obtain a 12A rating instead of a 15 rating.
Local authorities may also reclassify films in their counties. For example, in 2002, some local authorities changed the rating of Spider-Man from 12 to PG. However, the BBFC soon replaced the 12 rating with a new 12A rating, bringing the film's classification in line with the local authorities' decision.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all films shown in the UK need an age rating by law.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is responsible for rating films in the UK.
The BBFC uses a set of published Classification Guidelines to determine a film's rating. These guidelines are based on extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of over 112 years of operation. They are updated every four to five years. Compliance Officers at the BBFC consider issues such as language, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence and sexual violence. They also take into account context, tone and impact.
Yes, a film can be reclassified if the company that owns it submits it to the BBFC for a new classification. Filmmakers can also get advice from the BBFC about the likely rating their film will receive and make changes to the film to get a lower rating if desired.
No, county authorities are ultimately responsible for film ratings for cinema showings in their area. Local councils have the power to ignore the BBFC's rating and give a film a different rating.
