Why are Films given classifcation certificates?
In the UK, films are given a classification certificate to:
- Protect audiences, especially children, from harmful or inappropriate content (like violence, sex, strong language, or drug use).
- Provide age guidance, helping parents and viewers make informed decisions about what is suitable to watch.
- Ensure consistency and legal compliance, as it is against the law to show or sell films to people under the specified age rating.
- Support public standards, reflecting social attitudes and community expectations about what’s acceptable to show.
Who is responsible for classifying a film?
A film needs to have a classification certificate before it is shown. Who takes responsibility for obtaining the classification may depend on the circumstances, but a person who shows a film without a certificate commits the offence.
In some instances a film maker or a distributor will obtain the certificate, particularly where a film is to be shown in many places. However, where a film is only to be shown in one location the film may be certified by the person responsible for the showing, this could be a cinema, local film producer or event organiser.
Who can classify a film?
Films that are to be shown to a public audience must be given a classification rating. This certificate can be obtained from either:
- The British Board for Film Classification
- The Local authority for the area where the film is being shown.
Who should apply to the Local Authority?
Who should apply to the local authority?
Films intended for wide release across the UK are usually certified by the BBFC, as their ratings are recognised nationally.
Films intended to be shown on a small scale, in a select number of cinemas may be better suited to local authority approval. This is often the case where a film has been made by an amateur or small film maker for the benefit of a local audience or for local film festivals or community events showing films that have not been generally released across the UK. This is commonly the case for films produced outside of the UK where there has not been a significant commercial demand for general release.
More rarely, the local authority may be requested to re-certify a film classified by the BBFC to allow for it to be shown to a wider audience.
Applying for a film classification
To apply for a classification please read the attached guidance as to how decisions are made and complete the application form below.
Film Classification Procedure
- Film Classification Procedurepdf file[591KB]
- Application for Film Classificationpdf file[729KB]