BBFC

What does the BBFC do?

Age ratings are guidelines on who can watch a specific entertainment content, including films, games etc. Age ratings provide the age in which is suitable for viewing specific content, this is done to protect children and younger audiences from viewing unsuitable content that may cause the individual to be upset and disturbed by the film or game shown. The ‘BBFC’ (British Board of Film Classification) gives information to the public on specific content that may be found within the film and gives a general guideline on the age which is suitable for viewing the film.

The ‘BBFC’ (British Board of Film Classification) examine films before release in order to protect those (mainly younger audiences) from viewing inappropriate scenes that may cause harm. The ‘BBFC’ has a right to cut any content which show any harmful material that could influence young audiences. 

What are the BBFC age ratings?

The ratings include:

U - Universal, if placed on a film, it means it is suitable for audiences of 4+. There will be low or no accounts of such areas in violence, sexual scenes and bad language.
PG - Parental Guidance, a PG film will have to be viewed with an adult for the parent to consider if the film is suitable for their child. The film will have no reference to drugs without carrying an anti-drug message, bad language will be mild, nudity is allowed without any sexual reference  and violence will be moderate without detail.
12A/12 - 12A's may contain content unsuitable for audiences 12 under, however an accompany of an adult, allows the adult to consider if the content is suitable for the child. 12 rated films are for those 12 and over. Drugs is low and not emphasised as good, moderate bad language, discreet nudity and sexual scenes and low detailed violence, so it is not disturbing.
15 - No one younger than 15 should see a film rated 15. Discrimination is not endorsed, drugs is not promoted, language may be strong depending on the manner of it being used, sex and nudity is not in strong detail but may be shown and violence may be strong but not emphasised fully.
18 - No one younger than 18 can view rated 18 films. Adults free to choose their entertainment, this rated films will most likely have high accounts on all aspects such as violence, sex, nudity, discrimination, bad language etc.
R18 - Explicit works of sex or strong fetish material.


What factors affect age ratings films get?
Drugs - How promoted drugs are in the film
Imitable behaviour - How glamorised violence and criminal violence is.
Discrimination - The amount of discriminating material there is in the film, including sexism, racism, disability, religion etc.
Sex  - The detail of sexual activity shown.
Language - How strong offensive language is.
Nudity - How nudity is shown; if sexual or not.
Threat - Frequency and strength of threating material - how realistic and frightening it may seem.


What age rating would your thriller get and why?
Our thriller would probably get an age rating of 15, the opening itself will have accounts of violence and use of weaponry, this will not be emphasised fully and any aspects of blood and gore will be very low and so indeed it will not be classed as an 18. Our opening will not be suitable for those aged under 15 as the opening may have some accounts of 'imitable' behaviour which can be disturbing to the younger generations. The sinister aspects on how the weapons are used may be classed as disturbing and so it would be more suitable for 15 year olds and older because these ages are when they become more understanding from right and wrong without strong explanations to point this out.