UNIT01-AO1 BBFC Research Task

What is the BBFC?The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification and is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the VIdeo Recordings Act was passed in 1984.

What does the BBFC regulate?The BBFC controls the key age ratings for the younger audiences; within the devisions of games / films and television programmes.

Who funds/ organizes it?The BBFC is a non profit organization funded solely by standard charges made from film producers and distributors who submit media products for certification based on the running times of the films.

What is film classification?U - The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

PG - PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

12A & 12 - 12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them. 

15 -  No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ʻ15ʼ rated DVD.  15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

18 - Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

R18 - The ʻR18ʼ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ʻR18ʼ videos may not be supplied by mail order.

What do you think it was set up?

Age classification was set up in order to protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it.

Give some examples of where the BBFC have rejected a film / game / text & for what reasons?A game that was banned in the UK was Manhunt 2. The game was rejected for its unrelating focus on stalking and brutal slaying said the British Board Of Classification as well as unremitting blackness and callousness of tone which throughout the game from the start encourages savage like killing. The game cannot be sold anywhere in the UK. The reason Manhunt 2 was banned was because it was suspended by Take Two publishers due to the ratings in the UK and Italy as it was rated AO (AdultsOnly).

How successful do you think that BBFC is?I think we Defiantly need the BBFC as it clearly states what content would feature in each media product which will benefit various people i.e parents wanting to show certain films to their children. Without them, it could cause bad behavior and lead to things which could be bad for film companies. These sets of rules are very easy to access and read and are there for anyone who needs it.