BBFC Rating

BBFC

(British Board of Film Classification)

The British Board of Film Classification 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.

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be:

• Strong language, but it must be infrequent. 
• Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. 
• Moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. 

What about Horror Works?

Yes, some horror films are passed at this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing sequences are not too frequent or sustained.

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be:

• At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. 
• Violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.

What about Horror Works?

Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be:

• There is no limit on the number of uses of strong language which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence. 
• There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. 

What about Horror Works?

The strongest horror works are passed at 18, they may contain strong horror, gore or sustained threat and menace which exceeds the boundaries of 15.

We are going to rate our film 15. This is because we may have some scenes that will be menacing and graphic, which will be unsuitable for 12A, yet not be so menacing and graphic which will mean it'll have to be rated 18 . Also there will be some footage, where dangerous weapons (axe, saw etc) will be shown, which will be unsuitable for people aged 12 year olds, as the BBFC say: 

"Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works."

However for 15 year olds and over, this sort of weaponry is acceptable. Rating our film 15 also means our target audience is unchanged, as the age of our primary target audience is 15- 24.