Age certificates

BBFC stands for the British board of film classification. It is an independent body which was originally established by the film industry in 1912. Local Authorities were made responsible for what was shown in cinemas and from early on accepted the decisions of the BBFC. The BBFC is important to the film industry as it to helps to protect young viewers and society from viewing unsuitable content while allowing adults to have freedom of choice.

The BBFC currently issues the following certificates. The category logos were introduced in December 2002, replacing the previous ones that had been in place since 1982.

 
Universal

This logo defines that all ages are admitted and that their is nothing unsuitable for children, film with the certificate ‘U’ should be suitable for viewer aged four years and over. An Example of a 'U' certified film is 'Finding Nemo'. This film is rated as a U 





Parental Guidance

Some scenes may not be suitable for young children under the age of 8. Unaccompanied children of any age are allowed to watch. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger children. An Example of a 'PG' certified film is'Hocus Pocus'.










'12A'

Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films in this category could include things such as mature scenes, soft drugs, and discrimination. An example of a '12A' certified film is 









'15'

Only those over 15 years are admitted. Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain things such as adult themes, hard drugs, frequent strong language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. 











'18'

Only adults are admitted. Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated film or watch a one in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted.







Having thoroughly analysed the set guidelines for each of the levels of certificates available for a moving image, I have come to the conclusion that our thriller piece is going to be  rated a 12 certificate. I have chose this level certificate because I believe that the most suitable list of boundaries lies with the '12' more so than any other certificate, it is also more realistic to achieve similar conventions in our thriller than any other certificate.