The British Board of film classification

The British Board of film classification was set up in 1912 and is an independent,

non-goverment organisation that brings a degree of classification to films.
A film is classified by the BBFC to give viewers a understanding of the content a film will include, the classification is just a guidline that helps you to make your own mature decision but for younger people it is a guidline for their carers.

A film is first viewed by a group of examiners and is then stripped apart to catergorise sections of the film which fall into different age classifications. The producers then have the choice to change parts or keep the film the same but have the suitable age classification that is given. Some producers and some narrative do want blood, sex and violence, which then will consequently have a higher age classification.

For example a 12 or 12A may contain content that could be unsuitable for children under the age of 12. An example of a 12 could be You, me and dupree which contains scenes that may be unsuitable for children under 12.


Another example could be an 18 which would contain very graphic scenes so cannot therefore be viewed by people aged lower than 18 because they may me disturbed by the content. An example of a film with a classification of 18 could be saw.

Myself and Blaine are creating a short film. Do the same rules and regulations apply? I hear you ask. The answer to this is, yes. I did wonder if the was any change within the classification regulations between short films and the conventinal feature length film but there isnt which in my oppinion is very logical because a short film is just a variation of a film the same audience will consume them so the same rules therefore should apply. This means that the content of our film and poster will have to reflect the classification specifications of the target audience that we choose.

To view further information on film classifications click the link bellow.
BBFC Website:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/general/index.php