Film Certificates

A film certificate is used to as a guide to who the film is targeted and suited to. For example a children's film; anyone would be able to watch it however an adults film; only people above a certain age is allowed to watch it. This is to stop anything unsuitable been shown to younger people who it may upset.
The rating is usually shown at then end of a trailer, in the corner of a poster, or on the side of a DVD  box.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a company that classifies films. And has been for 100 years. They are an independent self financing organisation.
Through the years film classification and certificated have change immensly as social norms change. For example in 1913 only 2 catagories existed U (Universal) and A (more suitable for Adults). And there were restriction in things such as bathing scenes, indecourous dancing, men and women in bed together and grusome muders and strangulation scenes, etc.  BBFC watch all films that are going to be released into the british film industry and using a list of criteria judge what age rating is suitable for each film.
Here is the current criteria for film classifications as it is due to be changing:


Universal is suitable for everyone. however it is advised that the audience is above 4years old. The film should be positive and counterbalance any violence. There will be no discriminations, drugs, horror, bad language, nudity and sex.



 
Parental Guidance is targeted for general watching but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. Children may be ok to watch unaccompanied 8years+ but the adult should be responsible for determining this. Moderate violence is allowed with out detail. Natural nudity is allowed but no sexual activity should be shown. Discrimination is only allowed for educational and historic purposes. 


12A/ 12 is only for people aged 12 and above unless accompanied by an adult. Some material may upset or be unsuitable for anyone younger, and so it is the parent/ guardians responsibility to allow a child under 12  to watch the film. 12A is only used in public viewing and anyone under 12 is not allowed to buy or rent the film.
Violence, sex, nudity, language, horror, drugs and discrimination should not exceed what is suitable for young teenagers. for example if someone is discriminating it should be shown that it is clearly condemed.




15 is for people above the age of 15 to watch. Only 15+can watch it at the cinema, rent, or buy.
It should not promote discrimination or drug use and shouldn't give too much details on horror, nudity, sex or violence. Frequent use of strong language is allowed but agressive or repeated use of strongest language is not allowed.




18 no one younger than 18 can watch, buy or rent an 18 rated film. A film is usually rated 18 because it breaks criminal laws (in this case it should be commisioned through criminal offence,) there is a risk of harming public health or morals (for example; sexualised violence that might endorse sexual assault.) There is less guidence to what can be shown in an 18rated film compared to a 12 or 15 certificate.



Our film will have a certificate of 12A.
We have chosen this rating because our film will include some material that may upset anyone younger unless accompanied by an adult, as they may think themes in our film are true and could happen to them also we may have adult situations that may not be suitable by anyone younger.
During our filming we will follow the guidelines of a 12A rating to make sure it suited to the appropriate age range doesn't endorse anything that is not allowed.