BBFC

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is independent, and non-governmental body which was started up in 1912, with video recordings act passed in 1984.

The BBFC was set up in 1912 by the film industry in order to sort the classification of films nation wide. Local councils are aloud to override what the BBFC says because of their statutory powers, This could include passing films that the BBFC reject, banning films that the BBFC has passed and altering the categories that the films are put in through their own individual licensing laws and restrictions.

Video:
parliament passed the video recording act in 1984. The video recording act says that in order to sell or hire (commercially) video recordings, they must have been classified by the authority chosen by the secretary of state. The presidents and vice presidents of the BBFC were chosen and were asked to apply the "suitability for viewing in the home". After this the board was changed to be called the British Board of Film Classification, in order to reflect that the classification has a bigger part in the BBFC than the censorship.

Finances:
The BBFC does not take profit, all of the fees from the BBFC are used only to cover the cost so that they can keep their independent services. The film industry and the goverment never provide the BBFC with money, the income that the BBFC makes comes solely from what it charges for companies using its services. Before making any changes to its fees, the BBFC needs to consult the department of culture, media and sport.

Universal:
Films that have been rated "universal" are suitable for an audiences of 4 years old and over. The films content should be positive and moral, more than it should show any violence or horror. The horror should be mild, and include a reassuring and positive outcome. The film should not contain any behavior that could be potentially be easy for the children to imitate. Universal films should include only natural nudity, none of a sexual content, with sexual behavior only being mild such as kissing.

PG - Parental Guidance:
Films that have been rated "PG" is suitable for young children, but a few scenes may not be- which is why it should be watched with a parent. PG films are made to be suitable for children over the age of eight, however children that are younger can still watch them as long as they have the adult accompaniment; this is because it is their choice whether it will be suitable for their child. If there is horror in a PG film, it must not be too intense, or last a long time. The film should not contain any dangerous behavior that could potentially be easy for the children to imitate. PG films should include only natural nudity (if any), no sexual content should be included, however the implication of sexual activity is accepted as long as it doesn't appear frequently through the film.

12/12A:
Films that have been rated "12/12A" are suitable for people aged 12 years and over. Some content that appears in these films may be considered by some parents unsuitable for their child at the age of 12. This is why the 12A classification exists (only in cinema films) because it gives the audience an opportunity to watch the film, as long as they are accompanied by an adult that has chosen the film is suitable for the child. If there is horror in a 12/12A film then it should be moderate, and the physical threat isn't carried out. If the film contains dangerous behavior, there should not be enough detail to allow it to be copied. Nudity is acceptable in this age category, as long as the sexual content is brief and does not include too much detail.

15:
Films that have been rated "15" are suitable for people that are 15 years old and over. Nobody that is under that age can purchase or watch a 15 rated film in the cinema. If the film contains horror, it may include a strong threat, however it is not permitted if they are sadistic or sexualised. The films may include dangerous behavior as long as the film does not focus on the detail. In a sexual context, a 15 film is a loud to show nudity, however no strong detail is acceptable, sexual activity is aloud to be shown but also under the terms that there is no strong detail.

18:
Films that have been rated "18" are suitable for people that are 18 years old and over. Nobody that is under that age can purchase or watch an 18 rated film in the cinema. Due to the consultations of the BBFC and the human rights act (1998) - there are not many restrictions on 18 rated films. There are exceptions to  this, such as if the material in the film is harmful to the behavior of individuals or to society or if the context of the film cannot justify the extreme explicit images of sexual activity.