The BBFC stands for the British Board of film Classification which was set up in 1912. It is a non governmental body which works to classify videos and dvds. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the video recording act 2010. The BBFC first begame operating on the 1st of janurary 1913. Its legal basis was the cinematograph act 1909. This required cinemas to have licences from local authorties. It was introduced for safety reasons and concerns. The BBFC rates theatrically released films, and rates videos and video games that forfieted exemption from the video recording act 1984. Different films have certicates which states which age can watch the film. The category logos were introduced in 2003 replacing the previous ones which were introduced and had been in place since 1982. Below are the age certificates and examples of the different ages certificates.


 The ages certicicate U stands for universal. It should be suitable for ages 4 and over. However is is impossible to predict the effects a child this young. Examples of films aged U are telletubbies and In the night garden. Bad language is kept very mild at certificate U words such as 'buggur' or 'bloody' may be used. Certificate Us do not have no overt focus on sexual behaviour but there may be characters that are seen kissing and cuddling. A U film may include breif fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in danger but moments of emotional stress or threat will quickly.

PG, this stands for parental guidance. This means that the film is suitable for general viewing but some scenes within the film may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film shouldnt distress a childage aged 8 or over. Some films are given a PG certificate but are not made with the younger audidences in mind. In a PG film very mild bad language will be used. Examples of this are words such as 'shit' or 'son of a bitch'. There should be no detail of vilolence in a PG film but there may be some flashes of blood etc. Examples of PG films are Wreck-it ralph and The sapphires.

12A this means that anyone 12 or over the age of 12 can go and see this film unnaccomanied. This means they can go view the film without an adult. The difference between 12 and 12A is that the 12 certicate is just used for DVDs and blu-rays and videos where as the 12A is used in the cinema only.
There will be bad language in a PG film such as the word 'f***' but it must be kept infrequent.
Sex scenes may accour in 12 and 12A certificates but they will but it will be shown briefly and not in detail. Examples of 12A films are Red 2 and pacific Rim.

15. The 15 certifaces clearly states that no one under the age of 15 is allowed to view this film. Not in the cinema or at home and they are not allowed to rent the film.

Is 15 really stronger than 12A?

Yes. 15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could include any of the following:

• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***').
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking

There would generally be alot of strong language in certificate 15 film. There would be words such as 'F***' used and occasionally there may be use of the word 'c***'
Examples of certifcate 15 films are The heat and Mama.

18. This certifcate means that this is strictly for adults only. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to view these films. It is possible that some themes shown at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers.In an certicate 18 you may find strong issues such as Very strong violence, Frequenct strong language, Strong portrays of sexual activity etc. A high amount of strong language would be shown at certicate 18 as there is no limit to the amount used.