1. Task 9/11 – BBFC
Guidelines Research
Aston Bicknell

2. BBFC (British Board of Film
Classification)
 The BBFC which was originally the British Board of Film Censors, this is a non
government organisation. The BBFC is funded by the film industry and is also
responsible for the classification and sensor ship of films throughout the UK. The
company classifies DVD; s Cinema releases and certain video games. First Established in
1912 by the film industry because preferred to manage their own censorship as
opposed to the government. The organisation began operation on January 1st 1913.
This was due to the Cinematograph Act in 1909 which required cinemas to have
licences from the local authorities. Introduced for safety reasons due to nitrate film
fires in unsafe locations for example fair grounds and Illegal screenings of films in shops
and even houses, this was a huge health hazard. Nowadays the BBFC rates theatrically
released films also DVD’s, video and video games.

3. Certificate 15
 Films that are certificate 15 mean that no person under this age will be
able to buy/rent a dvd of this certificate or see a film of this certificate at
the cinema.
 There will be no discriminating language used.
 The use of drugs may be shown but the film must not promote or
encourage any use of drugs.
 Strong threat and danger are permitted unless it is sadistic or sexualised.
 Dangerous behaviour such as hanging/self-harming should not go into too
much detail. Easily accessible weapons will not be advertised.
 There is allowed to be frequent strong language such as “F**K”.
Aggressive or repeated use of stronger languages is unlikely to be
acceptable.
 Nudity could be allowed in a sexual content without going into to much
detail.

4. 15
 Sexual activity may be portrayed without going into to strong detail.
There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the most
strong references are unlikely to be accepted.
 No theme is prohibited as long as the treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds.
 Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of injury or
pain. Strongest gory images aren't likely to be accepted. Strong sadistic
or sexualised violence is unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed
verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence
must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

5. Certificate 18
 No-one younger than 18 may see an „18‟ film in a cinema and 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. There may be some exceptions in the following
areas:
 When material of the film is in breach of criminal law, or has been created
through the commission of a criminal offence.
 Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm
to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. This may include
portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example,
eroticise or endorse sexual assault
 Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot
be justified by context.

6. 18
 Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters
such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual
activity may be permitted.
 Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or
stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated
are generally passed „18‟. Sex works containing clear images of real
sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other
very strong sexual images will be confined to the „R18‟ category. Material
which is unacceptable in a sex work at „R18‟ is also unacceptable in a sex
work at „18‟.

7. Summary of how these guidelines
will help
 These guidelines will help me use the appropriate content for the
certificate film that my film trailer will be submitted. I know that I wont be
able to use certain language or scenes in my trailer because they will not
be appropriate for my film certificate. As there will be some fighting
scenes in my film, I now know the type of scenes that I can create in this
film certificate and what type of violets will be to graphic. One of the main
elements of this research that helped me was the section on use of
language as I was uncertain as to which offensive words were allowed
and which ones were not. Researching into this research I now know and
shall not make the mistake of including too much offensive language in
my trailer.

8.  Video Recordings Act 1984 – This act states that commercial video recordings that are offered for
sale/rental must follow a specific classification which has been agreed upon higher authority.
 The obscene publications act 1959 – This act amended the law in relation to the publication of obscene
matters, to provide protection of literature and strengthen laws of pornography.
 The Protection of children act 1978 – This act was introduced due to the concern over child pornography
and the sexual exploitation of children that came about in the USA in 1997. The UK then decided to
create this act in order to help solve this issue.
 How this information will help me when creating my product
 I feel that researching into the BBFC’s laws on age restriction will help me when it comes to creating my
film trailer. It has given me a better insight on what i can and can not include in my trailer and has also
informed me what type of material will be inappropriate to include. I think that the issue of which
offensive words will and wont be allowed has helped me the most because i wasn’t sure which ty6pe of
language i could and couldn’t use. I know now that i must prevent using offensive language in my trailer.