Melon Farmers Original Version

BBFC Classification


Guidelines: 2019 to present

 2000-2005   2005-2009   2009-2014   2014-2018   2019-present 


  All Categories

See Full BBFC Guidelines 2019 [pdf] from bbfc.co.uk
 

 

A selection of the general points that the BBFC have emphasised as changes for the 2019 guidelines.

The BBFC's consultation confirms that people feel a heightened sense of anxiety when it comes to depictions of real world scenarios, in which audiences 203 especially young people 203 are likely to be concerned that it could happen to them. For example, realistic contemporary scenarios showing terrorism, self-harm, suicide and discriminatory behaviour. This research confirms that the BBFC's current category standards are reflecting the public mood.

The large scale research also found that attitudes towards sexual threat and sexual violence have moved on since 2013/14. Although the BBFC already classifies such content restrictively, people told us that certain depictions of rape in particular should receive a higher rating. The BBFC has therefore adjusted its Classification Guidelines in these areas.

People also told us that they expect the strongest sex references, in particular those that use the language of pornography, to be classified at 18. The new guidelines reflect this demand.

The following guidelines for 2019 have been annotated in red to show the new additions or changes for 2019

Context

We consider the context in which an issue (such as sex, language or violence) is presented within a film or video. In doing this we take account of factors such as the setting of a work (historical, fantasy, realistic, contemporary); the manner of presentation (for example, an aggressive and directed use of bad or discriminatory language may result in a higher classification than a light-hearted and self-referential use of the same term); the apparent intention of the film; the original production date of the work (for example, outdated attitudes might be considered less offensive, and consequently classified at a lower category, in an old, obviously dated, work); the expectations of the likely audience; and any special merits of the work.

Theme

Classification decisions will take into account the theme of a work, but will depend significantly on the treatment of that theme, and especially the sensitivity of its presentation. The most challenging themes (for example, drug misuse, sexual violence, paedophilia, racial hatred or violence) are unlikely to be appropriate at the most junior levels of classification. However, there is no reason in principle why most themes, however difficult, could not be presented in a manner which allows classification at 18 or even, where suitable, at lower levels.

Classification decisions will take into account the theme of a work, but will depend significantly on the treatment of that theme, and especially the sensitivity of its presentation. The most challenging themes (for example, sexual violence, paedophilia and suicide) are unlikely to be appropriate at the lowest levels of classification (U or PG). However, there is no reason in principle why most themes, however difficult, could not be presented in a manner which allows classification at 18 or even, where suitable, at lower levels. Classification decisions are likely to be less restrictive where difficult themes are handled in a reassuring and age appropriate manner, or where there is a positive outcome. Classification decisions are likely to be more restrictive where difficult themes are handled in a manner likely to create or reinforce anxiety.

Tone and Impact

The overall tone of a work may also affect the classification decision. While the presentation of specific issues, such as sex and violence, may not be problematic at a particular category, a work with a dark or unsettling tone may receive a higher classification. Other tonal considerations which might have an influence on classification include the extent to which the work presents a despairing view of the world, or the extent to which transgressive or harmful behaviour is condoned or made to appear normal.

We take into account the impact of a work (i.e. how it makes the audience feel), for example the presentation of credible real world scenarios about which viewers, especially younger viewers, are likely to be anxious (e.g. terrorism, abduction, suicide, self-harm). We also take account of audience expectations regarding genre, for example in relation to horror films where threat may be more significant than the level of violence, or in the case of action films, where viewers are likely to have certain expectations regarding the type of highly choreographed and unrealistic violence they are likely to contain.

Where multiple classification issues are present in the same work, this may produce a cumulative impact that makes a higher classification more appropriate.

 

 

U cert

Universal

Suitable for all

PG cert

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

General

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

If a work is particularly suitable for pre-school children, this will be indicated in the BBFCinsight.

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Dangerous Behaviour Imitable behaviour becomes dangerous behaviour for 2019 rules
  • Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of or be presented unrealistically.
  • No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons
mitable behaviour becomes dangerous behaviour for 2019 rules
  • No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun.
  • No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives.
  • No focus on anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
Discrimination
  • Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of.
  • Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or in an educational or historical context, or in a particularly dated work with no likely appeal to children.
  • Discrimination by a character with whom children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs
  • No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
  • References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Language
  • Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
  • Mild bad language only.
  • Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language may result in a work being passed at a higher category
Nudity
  • Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
  • There may be nudity with no sexual context.
Sex
  • Only very mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references to such behaviour.
  • Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent.
  • Mild sex references and innuendo only
Threat and Horror Threat became Threat and Horror in the 2019 guidelines
  • Scary or potentially unsettling sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
  • Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense.
  • Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Violence
  • Violence will generally be very mild.
  • Mild violence may be acceptable if it is justified by context (for example, comedic, animated, wholly unrealistic).
  • Violence will usually be mild.
  • However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

 

  12 cert

Suitable for 12 years and over.
No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

12A cert

Suitable for 12 years and over.
No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

15 cert

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

Dangerous Behaviour
  • No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy.
  • No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives.
  • No endorsement of anti-social behaviour.
  • Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation ) should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
  • Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Hanging has been replaced by asphyxiation in the examples of dangerous behaviour.

Discrimination
  • Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole.
  • Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
  • The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour,
  • although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.
Drugs
  • Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.
  • Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail).
  • The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Language
  • There may be moderate language.
  • Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification
  • There may be strong language.
  • Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Nudity
  • There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
  • There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
  • Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context.
Sex
  • Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
  • Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
  • Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail.
  • There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
  • Repeated very strong references, particularly those using pornographic language, are unlikely to be acceptable.
  • Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal are unacceptable.

Sexual Violence and Sexual Threat

A new section for the 2019 guidelines, replacing a paragraph from the violence section.
  • There may be verbal references to sexual violence provided they are not graphic.
  • The stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, may only be implied and any sexual threat or abusive behaviour must be brief and negatively presented.

[The previous 2014 guidelines stated:

Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.

So now the previously allowed brief and discreet indication of sexual violence is no longer allowed at 12].

 

A new section for the 2019 guidelines, replacing a paragraph from the violence section.
  • There may be strong verbal references to sexual violence
  • but any depiction of the stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, must not be detailed or prolonged.
  • A strong and sustained focus on sexual threat is unacceptable.

[The previous 2014 guidelines stated:

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.

The upshot is that strong and sustained sexual threat is no longer allowed at 15].

Threat
  • There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences.
  • Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be.
  • Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained
  • There may be strong threat and horror.
  • A sustained focus on sadistic threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
Violence
  • There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail.
  • There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.
  • Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.
  • The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
  • Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

 

  18 cert

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

General

Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
  • where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
  • where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sadistic or sexual violence which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence; or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities
  • where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see below) or where the primary purpose of the images in question is sexual arousal

In the case of video works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex Education

This section has been deleted from the 2019 guidelines

Sex Works at 18

  • Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation.
  • Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18.
  • Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category.
  • Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18

References to underage sex

See BBFC board meeting minutes from July 2022 [pdf] from darkroom.bbfc.co.uk :

Following recent cuts made to a sex work -- KATIE K'S TEENAGE RAMPAGE 5 -- to remove verbal references to sexual activity below the age of 16, the Board reviewed the BBFC's policy in relation of such references and confirmed that there should be no reference to sexual activity below the age of 16 in sex works.

 

  R18 cert

Published R18 Guidelines

To be supplied only in licensed sex shops to persons of not less than 18 years

See also unpublished, but more detailed R18 Guidelines as presented to producers in November 2014

 

General

The 'R18' category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit videos with clear views of real sex between consenting adults. Such videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. 'R18' videos may not be supplied by mail order.

Sex

The following content is not acceptable:

  • material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
  • material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
  • the portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
  • the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for [DELETED moderate] non-abusive, consensual activity
  • penetration by any object [DELETED associated with violence or] likely to cause physical harm
  • sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game.
  • [DELETED probably for repetition of the previous clause. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable]

[Melon Farmers' comment: The BBFC previously confirmed that the following content was acceptable. They now hold that it is sufficient to say that "clear views of real sex between consenting adults" are acceptable and have removed the following list from their guidelines. The Melon Farmers' believe that it is still useful to readers to continue to publish the list of acceptable content

The following content, subject to the above, may be permitted:

  • aroused genitalia
  • masturbation
  • oral-genital contact including kissing, licking and sucking
  • penetration by finger, penis, tongue, vibrator or dildo
  • non-harmful fetish material
  • group sexual activity
  • ejaculation and semen]

Obscenity

The Crown Prosecution Service dictates many of the BBFC censorship rules at R18. In 2019 the CPS rationalised its own censorship rules in response to needing to align online and offline rules for age verification purposes (which in fact didn't come into effect). The CPS relaxed their views on squirting, golden showers and fisting and so the BBFC adopted the CPS rules.

The BBFC commented in its annual report published in 2019 that covered activity in 2018:

During 2018, the CPS consulted on the guidance it issues to prosecutors on the issue of obscenity. As a result, in early 2019, it issued new guidance that places a stronger emphasis on the depiction of harmful and abusive behaviour as the key reason for prosecution, rather than the depiction of niche sexual practices. Accordingly, at the beginning of 2019, the BBFC revised its own R18 policies to permit the depiction of certain activities, including but not limited to sexualised urination, provided those activities occur in a consensual and non-abusive context.

Aside from OPA considerations, we do not allow at R18 penetration with objects likely to cause actual harm. In making these decisions we continue to draw upon expert research which can be found on our website/

The BBFC commented in its annual report covering 2019:

During 2019 a number of works were classified R18 that contain material that previously would have been subject to compulsory cuts under the OPA.

References to underage sex

See BBFC board meeting minutes from July 2022 [pdf] from darkroom.bbfc.co.uk :

Following recent cuts made to a sex work -- KATIE K'S TEENAGE RAMPAGE 5 -- to remove verbal references to sexual activity below the age of 16, the Board reviewed the BBFC's policy in relation of such references and confirmed that there should be no reference to sexual activity below the age of 16 in sex works.

 


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