Certification in Films

Certification in films is a big part of how you are going to target, make and sell your film. You need to make sure that you understand what sort of certification you are trying to aim for before going to make your own film. Companies like the BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification) watch films day in and day out giving them appropriate age ratings. When a film is planning to be produced the production company would think about what their target audience is and what certificate they think they will get. This then means that they are able to gauge what sort of humour that they are going to have in as well as the scenes they are aloud to show, they cant have someone swearing and having sex in a 12A, however they can show that in a 15.

Currently there are 5 age ratings that can be put onto a film. Each have different levels of materials that they are able to show. these are:


U: Films with a U rating should be pleasant and not upset and children from the ages of 4 and above.

PG: This age genre should be aimed at children from the ages of 8 and up, younger children should be accompanied with an adult. This may contain scenes that could upset younger children.

12/12A: 12 and 12A are not suitable for children under the age of 12 and if are taken to the cinema to see it, they must be with an adult at the age of 18.

15: The 15 age rating would contain material that is not appropriate for anyone under 15, this would contain bad language, violence and sexual scenes.

18: Pretty much anything can be shown in an 18 and its not suitable for anyone younger to view it.