How the Industry in Regulated

    

The film industry is regulated and censored in order to prevent sensitive or adult content being seen by the wrong people of the wrong age. These certificates can be seen on packaging, advertisement before the movie starts and the actual discs (just about anywhere). These certificates are awarded by the BBFC. The BBFC is an initialism for the British Board of Film Classification which is a non-governmental organisation founded by the film industry  1912. The organisation is responsible for the classification of films, only in the UK.

The BBFC categorise films by the following certificates; U, PG, 12, 12A, 15 and 18 (in that order). Each category represents different features of the film and are put in places to avoid any complaints or hassle from the audiences, they choose to watch a film of that rating so cannot complain of the content. Like the pictures suggest you have to be of the age or older in order to watch the film, however movies rated '12' can be watch by somebody under the age of 12 as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

U, is the first one on the ranks and can viewed by anyone, typically associated with child films and animations. This rank is can include very, very mild language like 'bloody'. There will be no obviously deadly weapons but can still include fight scenes. There is no sexual scenes but can include kissing. 

PG stands for Parental Guidance and can include more severe language than a 'U' but still only mild, Like 'Sh#t'. There is a little violence but not in huge detail, but can have more sexual innuendo than 'U'. Children of any age can view the film with an accompanying adult.

Films certified as '12' and '12A' are have the exact same criteria, however differ slightly. 12 films simply can not be viewed by anyone under the age of 12, it can also not be rented or bought by anybody under 12. This is because the BBFC feel the content may upset anyone below the age of 12 and parents will feel that the contents is unsuitable for their children.
12A films however, are for films in cinema only, and anyone under the age of 12 have to be accompanied by an adult, however the BBFC does not recommend that under-12s watch the films rated 12A but if the adult feels a film is appropriate enough for the child they are responsible for, then its still legal. 12As look very carefully at the contents within the film, any 'glamorisation' of drugs are weapons would cause a more severe rating, as well as violence or sex.


A film rated 15 cannot be seen by anybody under 15 (even accompanied by an adult) at the cinema, it can also not be bought or rented by anyone under 15 either.More sensitive subjects can be shown compared to 12s and 12As, like drug taking. Drug use can be shown but the film must be very careful not to promote or encourage drug abuse or misuse. However substances like aerosols that are easily accessible in everyday life will not be accepted.Violence is of course accepted and can be very severe however 15s should not focus on the pain or damage caused by the violence, gory deaths or scenes are not likely to be accepted. Sexual violence can be shown also but must be very discreet and must tie in with the story line of the film. Sadistic violence like torture can also be referred too. Just about any swear word can be used in 15 but not as often as 18 films.

Films rated 18 is basically everything from a film except strong pornography. It can feature strong violence and horror, extreme gore and sexual scenes, nudity and sexual violence.