1. Heidi Renton
April 2017
Age rating films

2. Created in 1912

3. H is for Horrific

4. Changes over time Cut for X in 1958 15 on video 1997 15 on DVD 2003
12A when film released by BFI in 2007

5. Classification categories
Suitable for
15 years
Suitable for 12 years+
No one younger
than 12 can see a
12A film unless
accompanied
by an adult
Suitable for
adults only
Universal.
Suitable for all
Parental Guidance.
General viewing but
some scenes may be
unsuitable for
young children

6. Why do we do it? Films legally need a certificate – DVDs/Blu-rays too
Protect children - harm
Help people, especially parents, decide on suitability
Empower and inform the public

7. Digital services
Streamed/downloaded/VOD content: no legal obligation for classification [except UK music videos] – but UK content law still applies
2008 BBFC launched voluntary Watch & Rate digital licensing
Over 30 VOD brands licensed to use BBFC information (eg Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Video, Microsoft, airline content)
85% parents agree on importance of consistent online and offline classification
Customers can make safe, informed viewing choices; businesses protected from breaking UK law
2015 research – “Online Media Regulation in 2015” by BBFC (available on our website) -

8. Examining Mostly solo viewing 5-6 hours p/day, random works
Advice viewing?
Examiner’s report
Post viewing discussion linked to:
Guidelines
Policy
Legal restrictions
Confirmation viewing?
Decision made
Reports filed & checked
Insight published online 8 8

9. Examining - Issues Violence Imitable techniques Language Sex
Sex references
Sexual violence
Drugs
Criminal activity
Weapons
Horror
Theme
Discrimination 9

10. Other considerations Story, style, treatment
Audience address, appeal & expectations
Moral framework
Artistic or educational merit
Potential offensiveness
Precedent 10 10

11. The Simpsons Movie: Issues?
Identify the issues in this clip
Think about how we might classify it

12. cartoon, known quantity, comic and ultimately passed at…
The Simpsons Movie
Nudity (of a ten-year-old boy)
Children smoking
Sex references / Violence
BUT
cartoon, known quantity, comic
and ultimately passed at…

13. What is cut?
Most are ‘category cuts’ made by film distributors wanting a lower category
‘Compulsory cuts’ made rarely – footage must be removed or no age certificate is given 13 13

14. What is the law? Video Recordings Act The Obscene Publications Act
The Licensing Act
Video Recordings Act
The Obscene Publications Act
Human Rights Act
The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act
Race Relations Act
Protection of Children Act

15. Adults are free to choose
Some material will offend some people
Credible harm risk or clear breach of the law?
High end material includes real sex, drug taking, real violence/killing/death
But 18 also considered a mainstream category

16. 15/18 borderline horror & violence
Mitigating factors
Comedy
Fantasy
Lack of injury/process detail
Moral hero
Aggravating factors
Sexualised violence
Inviting viewer complicity
Sadistic violence, torture, focus on inflicting pain & suffering
Racially motivated
Drugs, focus on imitable technique
Very strong language during violence
Vigilante hero/ endorsing violence 16

17. The moral framework Potential harm ...
For all works, across all issues, when deciding age appropriateness, we consider:
Maturity level of audience
Development level of moral
compass/code of ethics
Is behaviour shown normalised? Glamorised? Endorsed?
Theme, tone &
impact
Potential harm ...

18. BBFC & the UK film industry
Outreach work / Partnerships – supporting film industry and media literacy
Directors’ workshops
- Noel Clarke (Adulthood, , Fast Girls)
- Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Sightseers, High-Rise)
- Eran Creevy (Shifty, Welcome to the Punch)
BFI Academy / Barbican Future Film Youth Programmers / British Youth Film Academy summer schools
Reduced rates for student short films

19. Accountable, Available
Decisions published, education resources created for teachers and students
bbfc.co.uk
Articles
Podcasts
Case studies
Student Guide
Timelines
Follow us on
@bbfc 19 19