Film regulation/Certification

Examiners from 'British Board of Film Classification' (BBFC) watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one. They reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria contained in their Classification Guidelines. They examines and age rates films and videos before they are released.

They did this 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. The same process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays.

They look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behavior, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions.

Their decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of context.

Factors BBFC consider:

• Discrimination
• Context and Theme
• Tone and impact on its audience
• Violence
• Sex and sexual references
• Drugs
• Language