BBFC Research - Certificate for my Film

I have researched three certificates from the BBFC website - 12A, 15 and 18. I have only chosen to look at these three because they are the most realistic certificates for horror movies (though very few films from this genre receive a 12A as it means the film will contain less blood, gore and sustained frightening moments).

British Board of Film Classification Website

From my research I will select a certificate for my film, this will give me the guidelines I need when deciding on suitable content at that level.

The following guidelines for 12A that may be related to the horror genre include: 

• Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. 
• Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  
• Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. 
• Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent. 
• Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. 
• Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable. 
• Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. 
• Moderate violence is allowed but 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. 
• Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

Considering that my film is likely to include weapons, sustained physical and psychological threat and emphasis on gore and blood, it is unlikely that the film would receive a 12A certificate.

The following guidelines for 15 that may be related to the horror genre include: 

• Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. 
• Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. 
• Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. 
• There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. 
• Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. 
• Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. 
• No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. 
• 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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

It is likely that my film will fall into this category - this will allow me to reach a wider audience than an 18 (which would please the production and distribution companies), whilst still maintaining the necessary threat that is so important in the genre.

The following guidelines for 18 that may be related to the horror genre include: 

•  In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that 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 the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any 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 sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault 
  • where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’  would normally be confined to that category.