Certificate Research

Certificate Research

U:
 Suitable for audiences aged four years and over
 At U we only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’).
 Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour
 Violence will generally be very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in danger.
 ‘Baddie’ characters may carry or use weapons, but there will be no emphasis on these.
 E.g. Curious George, The Bee Movie


PG:
 PG stands for Parental Guidance
 A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older
 A PG film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG works can explore challenging issues such as
bullying, bereavement or racism.
 There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’)
 Sex references are unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent.
 Violence will usually be mild.
 E.g. Saving Mr. Banks, Shrek


12A
 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12
 The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema
 The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'fuck') may be passed at 12 or 12A (Non Aggressive)
 Moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).
 Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers also there may be nudity
 At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood,
 Some horror films are passed at this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12A or 12A.
 E.g. Hancock, The Switch


15:
 Strong violence
 Frequent strong language (e.g. 'fuck). Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'),
 Portrayals of sexual activity
 Strong verbal references to sex
 Sexual nudity
 Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
 Discriminatory language or behaviour
 Drug taking
 E.g. 21 Jump Street, Bridesmaids


18:
 Very strong violence
 Frequent strong language (e.g. 'fuck’) and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’), There is no limit
 Strong portrayals of sexual activity
 Scenes of sexual violence
 Strong horror
 Strong blood and gore
 Real sex (in some circumstances)
 Discriminatory language and behaviour
 E.g. Taken, Kill Bill


Considering all the features of each certificate we have decided our film is a 15 as it will contain some use of strong
language, although there will be no sexual  activity we still feel  is should be classed as a 15 as that’s the  most
appropriate seen as it may effect a 12 year old.