who is the BBFC and what is their role?
BBFC - "British board of film classification" or otherwise known as "British Board of Film Censors."
It is a Non - governmental organisation funded by the film industry and is responsible for the National classification and censorship of films in the United Kingdom.
Their requirements are to classify videos, DVDS and video games to a certain extent as some video games are under the 'video recordings act of 2010'.
History
The BBFC was established in 1912 as a 'British Board of Film censors' by members of the film industry and began operating on 1 January 1913. Its legal basis is the "Cinematograph act of 1909". This is because cinemas have to have licenses from local authorities.
This was introduced for safety reasons after a number of cases of nitrate film fires in unsuitable venues (shops that had been changed into cinemas.) however, in the following year, court ruling determined the criteria of granting or refusing a license.
In December 1986, the first computer game to be certified by the BBFC was an illustrated text adventure of "Dracula" which received a 15 certificate but also the first computer game to receive an 18 certificate on the 11 December 1987.
Age certificate:
| Symbol | Name | Consumer Advice | Recent examples |
|---|
 | Universal | All ages admitted, there is almost nothing unsuitable for children. | Turbo
The smurfs 2 |
 | Parental Guidance | All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Should not disturb children aged 8 years or over. May contain mild language and sex/drugs references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy). Parents may wish to check the film before they let their children watch it. | Wreck - it - Ralph |
 | 12A | Cinema only. Introduced in 2002. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Cinemas are only permitted to supply tickets to see a 12A-rated film to children under the age of 12 years if they are accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years. However, it is unlikely to be suitable for children under the age of 12. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated. |
Iron man 3,
The hunger games: Catching fire.
|
 | 12 | Home media only since 2002. Suitable only for persons aged 12 years and over, not to be supplied to anyone below that age. It is illegal to knowingly rent or sell a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game to anyone under the age of 12. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. The content guidelines are identical to those used for the 12A certificate. | Les Mis, The perks of being a Wallflower. |
 | 15 | Suitable only for persons aged 15 years and over, not to be supplied to anyone below that age. It is illegal to knowingly rent or sell a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or supply cinema tickets for a film with this rating, to anyone under the age of 15. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, regular use of foul language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context. | The heat, Mama |
 | 18 | Suitable only for persons aged 18 years and over, not to be supplied to anyone below that age. It is illegal to knowingly rent or sell an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or supply cinema tickets for a film with this rating, to anyone under the age of 18. Films under this category do not have limitation on the foul language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticised or excessively graphic. | Django unchained |
 | Restricted 18 | Can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shops. It is illegal to sell a film with this rating to anyone under the age of 18, and it is illegal to sell a film with this rating by means of mail order, or online or by telephone. Films under this category always contain hard-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing. There remains a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating: strong images of injury in BDSM or spanking works, urolagnia, scenes suggesting incest even if staged, references to underage sex or childhood sexual development and aggressive behaviour such as hair-pulling or spitting on a performer are not permitted. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.[23] | N/A |
Legal Backing
The BBFC has no legal power, films don't have to be submitted for classification as it falls to councils to decide who should be admitted and who shouldn't. It generally applies to the BBFC certificates making them legally binding. In some cases however, councils may impose their own conditions either raising of lowering the minimum entry age for certificate. Setting their own minimum entry age for films that may have been refused by the board or that have never been submitted for BBFC certification. Before 1985, there were no legal binding ratings on video releases. The video Recordings act of 1984 introduced new legal powers to certify video releases independently from any existing cinema certificate.
Coraline Case study:
Director: Henry Selik
Year: 2009
Status: PG Uncut
Why did the BBFC settle on PG for Coraline?
BBFC guidelines for junior categories notes that PG has some scary moment as has a "rollecoaster effect" like Jurassic Park or Lord of the rings: The fellowship of the ring.
Coraline arrived at the BBFC with a PG category request as it is based around a children's book by Neil Gaiman and is a stop - motion animated film similar style to "Nightmare Before Christmas and "The corps Bride."
At PG, the BBFC guidelines allow some elements of 'horror' along as it meets the criteria that there are not too many "frightening sequences" and are not too intense. The film has to have a positive and reassuring outcome for the BBFC to consider it as a PG. Examiners noted a general air of creepiness of spookiness running throughout the film and despite the scariness, the film features a number of elements that reduce the intensity of frequency scenes. This includes moments of comedy and fun like silly songs, performances by dancing mice and the strange behaviour of the amusing and colourful neighbours. There is also, a lot of emphasis on the reassuring, happy ending.
