BBFC: British Board of Film Classification is an independent body which was originally established by the film industry 1912.

The BBFC has legal rights to classify videos, dvd’s and some video games under the video recording Act 1984. The BBFC are able to put age restriction on the list mentioned above to protect susceptible viewers from viewing unsuitable, unsafe scenes in films, they also provide media industries with security and confidence of cost-effective publicity trusted regulations.

THE BBFC HISTORY

YEAR	MEDIA	UNRESTRICTED CATEGORY	ADVISORY CATEGORY	RESTRICTIVE CATEGORY
1913	film	U – Universal	A – More suitable for adults (no film certified that was not clean and wholesome)	None
1921	film			London County Council – no entrance to young people at ‘A’ films, except with parent or guardian
1932	film		H – Indicated horror and was advisory
1951	film			X – incorporated old ‘H’ and limited audience to those over 16 years
1970	film	U – Universal	A - advisory, parents cautioned that film may be unsuitable for young children	AA – admission to children of 14 years or over X – raised from 16 to 18 years
1982	film	U – Universal	PG – Parental Guidance – general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children	15 – no person under the age of 15 to be admitted. 18 – no person under the age of 18 to be admitted. R18 – for films containing more explicit sexual depictions
1985	video	Uc – Universal particularly suitable for young children U – Universal	PG – Parental Guidance – general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children	15 – suitable only for persons of 15 years and over 18 – suitable only for persons of 18 years and over R18 – restricted to distribution in licensed premises. No one under 18 to be admitted
1989	film			12 – no person under the age of 12 to be admitted
1994	video			12 – suitable only for persons of 12 years and over
2002	film			12A – no-one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied throughout by an adult

THE BBFC LOGO'S

U’ films are 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


Examples of movies :  Madagascar, Singing in the Rain, Toy story 3

'PG' films 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.


Examples of movies :  Horrid Henry ( the movie), Cars,Shrek

This category for those aged 12 and over.
Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them


Examples of movies :  Pirates of the Caribbean,The Green Hornet,Kings Speech

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12


Examples of movies: Avater, 13 Going on 30,Harry Potter and the Gobblet of Fire

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 work


Examples of movies : Jumping the Broom, The Backup Plan,Letters To Julliet












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 and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment

Examples of movies : Let me in, Inisidious, Legion

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops

Examples of movies : Pulp Fiction,Peeping Tom,Pornography