What factors do the BBFC consider?
What does the 12A symbol mean?
Films classified 12A and video works
classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged
under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless
accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A
film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them
decide, we recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance.
Watch our video about 12A.
What's the difference between 12A and 12?
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any
child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema
staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced
for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be
enforced in the home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather
than the 12A. The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they
cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.
Is there a lower age limit for a 12A film?
No. However, the BBFC considers the content
of 12A rated films to be suitable for children aged 12 and over, and we would
not recommend taking very young children to see them. Works classified at these
categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents
will find unsuitable for them.
Adults planning to take a child under 12 to
view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To
help adults make this decision, we provide BBFCinsight for all films.
How important is the tone of a film at 12A
or 12?
The overall tone of a film or video, and
the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. For example,
a work which has a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience
would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the individual issues in the film
were considered acceptable under the BBFC Guidelines. Similarly, if a work is
particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category
from 12A to 15.
Will there be uses of strong language in a
12A or 12 work?
The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong
language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in
which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special
contextual justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a
film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns
on strong language at this category.
There may be moderate language (e.g. uses
of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).
What about discrimination?
Any discriminatory language or behaviour
will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language
(for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12A or 12
unless it is clearly condemned.
Do 12A films contain sexual behaviour?
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed
at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references
or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at
this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context
should only be brief and discreet.
Sex and sex references are treated the same
irrespective of sexuality
What sort of violence can I expect in a 12A
or 12?
At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it
should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood,
but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their
context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).
Action sequences and weapons may be present
at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which
might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be
glamorised in 12A and 12 works.
Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or
assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12.
Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.
Can horror films be passed 12 or 12A?
Yes, some horror films are passed at this
category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A
as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall
tone is not disturbing.
What about other issues like imitable
behaviour or drugs at 12A or 12?
Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging
and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will not dwell on detail
which could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are
likely to copy.
Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed.
There may be infrequent sight of drugs
misuse in a 12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide
instructional detail.
How can I find out more about a specific 12
or 12A work?
Please check the BBFCinsight for the film
or video you are thinking of watching. You may find BBFCinsight on this website
or on our free App as well as on film posters, DVD and Blu-ray packaging, and
on some listings. You will also find it attached to some film and video content
which is available to download. It provides comprehensive information on
exactly why a film or video has been given a particular category. All the
issues are discussed in detail and parents in particular can use this
information to make informed decisions when choosing viewing material for their
children.
A guide to BBFCinsight is available here.
There are some answers to frequently asked
questions about the 12A rating here.
BBFC encourages online film
labelling with automatic online classifications for DVD and Blu-Ray releases
4.
BBFC encourages online film labelling with
automatic online classifications for DVD and Blu-Ray releases
The British Board of Film
Classification (BBFC) is now automatically issuing all films classified for DVD
or Blu-ray release with online classifications for use on licensed digital
video platforms.
Date 06/06/2012
The move aims
to help the home entertainment industry streamline their physical and digital
products and to provide consumers with the classification symbols they know and
trust for their on-demand downloads.
Content
classified for DVD or Blu-Ray was previously given an online classification in
return for a small additional payment; this has now been abolished. Digital
certificates for films classified on Blu-ray and DVD will be included in the
charge for DVD and Blu-ray classification from 1 June, providing the same
trusted symbols online as consumers recognise from DVD and Blu-ray packaging
(U, PG, 12, 15, 18). The BBFC is also removing the membership fee previously
required for online only classifications, making them more widely accessible
and cost effective for content only available online.
David Cooke,
Director of the BBFC, says
'The number
of video-on-demand platforms continues to grow and we've been working with the
industry for over four years to ensure the public's desire for clear content
labelling is met. A key role for the BBFC is child protection and we want as
much online content as possible to receive classifications so consumers can
make informed decisions about what they and their families watch. 82% of
parents say they prefer to download content with BBFC classification symbols
and altering the way we provide online classifications will help content
providers give consumers the information they need and trust when deciding what
to watch.'
Lavinia
Carey, Director General of the British Video Association says,
'The
development of the BBFC's voluntary online classification service took a great
leap forward with the introduction of the speedy and cost effective "Watch
& Rate" service for video content not released on disc, as it allows
distributors to continue providing viewers the same level of trustworthy age
ratings and consumer advice for digital video services as they get on physical
discs. Now any content can be rated without having to pay for membership
of the scheme, which should encourage more and more video distributors to use
Watch & Rate even if they're not planning a DVD release.'
The BBFC's service for streamed and downloaded content
was launched in collaboration with the home entertainment industry in 2008. The
service provides trusted classifications, category symbols and Consumer Advice
to set-top box, video-on-demand and other online content providers. Key
affiliates using the BBFC service include Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Europe, Warner Bros., Paramount, 20th Century
Fox, Universal, BT Vision, Tesco/Blinkbox, TalkTalk, Picturebox and Netflix.
The BBFC have to protect children and vunlnerable audiences, who are sentitive to certain films or images,
youtube is international so the bbfc will not be able to regulate short films that are uploaded to youtube.
people are free to show what they want on youtube
