Audience
The BBFC Classification Guidelines

These guidelines effect everything in film and the world of cinema as these are the company in which decides to which section it will be in either a U,PG,12,12A,15 or an 18 . They decide what to classify the film by on the behalf of the local authorities who license cinemas under the licensing Act of 2003. As the BBFC has the right to carry out its responsibilities through appropriate use of categories as in particular in order to protect children from any harm which may be caused, if necessary however the BBFC may cut of even reject a film or video work if they feel that it is just unacceptable they do this by look at the guidelines of intervention.

As when you apply for the passing of the BBFC guidelines there are three main qualifications in which you have to take into consideration which are:
1: whether the material is in conflict with law or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
2: Whether the material ,either on its own or in combination has the same combination with others have a similar nature as if the content causes any harm at the category concerning . As when you are making your film you have to take into a consideration that it not include any harm in the film that will cause any harm that may result from the behaviour of potential viewers but also have to think about any moral harm that could be caused , as that the fact that when they watch it is distressing for viewer and it degrades the view sense of empathy as this is unacceptable such as encouraging a dehumanised view of others and suppressing an anti social attitudes and reinforcing an unhealthy fantasies.
3: Whether the availability of the material in contend at the age group concerned is clearly unacceptable to broad public unacceptable to broad public opinion. It is on this ground that the BBFC intervenes in respect of bad language and this is why they have there different guidelines for each film.

As when you think about filming there are many acts in which you have to consider such as Human Rights act 1998 as this is the act in which you have show respect private and family life and give the right for freedom of expression . The Obscene Publications Act 1959 and 1964 as it is as rule in which as it illegal to publish work which is obscene and seen morally wrong. As well the rule of criminal justice and immigration act 2008 as it against to show images of pornographic images as the images is to often to hurt a person this is seen by a the BBFC as offensive and is excluded from scope of the offense.

The categories




A U film

U is for universal as these types of films are suitable for all ages as in each section as there is no discriminatory language or behaviour. There’s is no reference to illegal drugs or drug misuse as there is a message that comes across that anti drugs that drugs are not suitable for children , as the can be scary sequences but this should be mild and the outcome should be reassuring and everything is resolved. The behaviour of all the character should be prefect as the should be no bad behaviour which children are likely to copy. The themes should problematic where a problem is resolved.



This is an Universal film called Madagascar this is suitable for all ages

A PG film

A PG film is a parental guidance general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. As Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable as discrimination by a character by a character that children can identity is not acceptable. There should be no reference to drugs or drug misuse as there should be an anti drug message, as there should be no frightening sequences and if there is it should not be prolonged. As well as this there should not be dangerous behaviour and no unacceptable weapons. As the themes must not show unacceptable behaviour but some issues can be brought up.



This is a PG film call ice age it is suitable for a parental guidance general viewing

A 12/12a film

The film 12 is suitable for the ages of 12 years and older. Discriminatory language and behaviour must not be endorsed but is allow, aggressive language and behaviour is unlikely be acceptable unless clearly condemned. As drug use must be infrequent and should not be glamorised ,as moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted but not disturbing scenes are not allowed. Behaviour such as hanging or suicide should not show that this could be copied but is allowed. Sexual activity must be brief and suitable for young teenagers as the themes are allowed to mature but still acceptable for young teenagers





This film is a James Bond film Casino Royale which is acceptable for 12s and over’s

A 15 Film

This is film is only suitable for people over the ages of 15 and older. On the whoel the work must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour there is allowed to have shown drug taken in the film however the film must not promote drug misuse. The issues of strong threats and menace are allowed but should not be sexualised; weapons are allowed in the film however they should now be glamorised. The language use may be strong language, however aggressive or repeated use of strong language is unacceptable. The themes which can be used have to be appropriate for that of the age of 15 years old. The use of violence may be strong but not highlight the fact of death and sexual violence is unacceptable.




This a film called rock n Rolla this film is a 15 it acceptable for those 15 and older

A 18 film

These films are suitable for the people of 18 and over. There are no real guidelines for these films as people over the age of 18 can watch what they like and watch what they want. However they still have to stick to all the legal requirements as they can’t be against the criminal law and show images of explicit sex and damaging images against people human rights and that of which are morally unacceptable.


This is a screenshot from an 18 film called American History X




For a Thriller genre the most acceptable certificate rating for the thriller genre it will be either 15 or 18 as in these you are allowed to use the aspects of the thriller genre in these certificates as you cannot create a thriller drama in a U, PG or 12 certificates. So most suitable for a thriller drama is 15 or 18 classification certificate.
An 18 certificate rating for a film would enable the film producers to include more explicit content and thus make the film more ''thrilling'' so to speak. However, by doing this, the producers and the management of the film are restricting their audience as opposed to the audience of a 15 certificate rating as there are less people able to watch it as the age restriction is older.
As we have made a film with enough explicit content to be classed as a 15 but is too mild to be classed as an 18, we are aiming our film at an audience between the ages of 15 and 25, predominantly male however our film isn't gender specific.