The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification. It is a non-govermental association funded by the film industry and nationally responsible for film classifications. 'Classification' is to arrange things into different classes or catagories; in this case, catagorising films depending on their suitability for different age groups. The different 'classes' are U, PG, 12, 12a, 15, 18 and R18.
The classification citerea are as follows:
- Discrimination
- Drugs
- Horror
- Imitable Behavior
- Language
- Nudity
- Sex
- Theme
- Violence
A film's classification is decided on its content regarding the above criteria - for example in a PG film, sexual activity may be implied but must be discreet and infrequent. However, in an 18, frequent sexual activity may be displayed.
