Who are the BBFC?

 

• The BBFC are the British Board of Film Classification
• Independent, non-governmental organisation
• Funded by the fees it charges those who submit their films/video works for classification
• Responsibility of what the guidelines are rest with the BBFC - subject to normal considerations or fairness and reasonableness
• Provide interpretation of guidelines on request
• Parents are advised to consider classification/consumer advice before allowing a child to view a work

Classification categories:

• Carry out work through classification categories in order to protect children from harm
• The BBFC may cut/reject a work deemed unacceptable in any category in the 'Intervention' section of the guidelines
• There is a need to keep criteria clear under the Human Rights Act (1998)
• Categories are a product of public consultation with children and adults, research and the many years worth of accumulated experience at the BBFC
• Regard change in public taste/attitudes/concerns, changes in law, new evidence from research/expert resources
• Categories are reviewed periodically (around every 5 years)
• Categories NOT a legal document - they cannot be a comprehensive account of everything and should be interpreted in spirit and letter

Their work includes:

• Films on behalf of local authorities who license cinemas under the Licensing Act (2003)
• Video recordings (DVD, VHS, Blu-ray etc.) under the Video Recordings Act (1984)
• Distribution of video works (e.g. downloading/streaming on Internet) under a voluntary scheme called BBFC.online
• Will not classify material believed to be in breach of criminal law