BBFC:

The BBFC is an in dependent, non-governmental body which has classified in cinema films. They also provide age ratings for the films released. The ratings are U, PG and 12A. BBFC are a designated body which means they have the legal powers to rate films and even cut or reject the work before released.

History of BBFC:

The BBFC was created in 1912 and was created by a group of members of the film industry. They manage their own censorship instead of the national or local government. This began on the 1st January 1913. The object was to create a company which could make their own judgements that were acceptable nationally. For this to take ahead the BBFC needed to earn the trust of the Parliament, the press and the public. It wanted to make sure all the films, were checked and up to standard.

The current Council membership consists of:

Graham Lee
Steve Jaggs
Sonita Alleyne
0Maggie Carver
Joanna Shaw
Jonathan Teckman.

Different Ratings:

The BBFC rate the films before they are released in the cinemas:

- U

- PG

- 12A

- 15

- 18

The rating for U and PG mean that anyone can go and see these films. Children don't need to be accompanied by an adult; they can view it with friends.  PG is a rating so your parents can think about weather this film is suitable for you, this is if you are younger then 8 or 9 years of age. The rating for 12A means your must be older then 12 to go and see them unless you have an adult with you. There are some films that are rated as a 15. These films normally included violence and sex references. Then there are 18 rated films which include violence, sex and sometimes drug use. Local councils who are in charge of the cinemas around the whole country have grew to accept the BBFC's decisions, even though from this day for the films shown in our cinemas, the council still have to power to ignore the decisions made by the BBFC.

Legal. 

The BBFC have no legal power, the films have to be submitted for classifications to the council who have the final say for the certificates. For example a film maybe recommended to be a 12A but it may end up being rated at a 15. Not everyone will agree but each film has to have an official rating.

Coraline. 

BBFC guidelines for junior categories notes that PG have some scary moments in the and may frighten younger children. Coraline arrived at the BBFC with a PG rating as it is based around a children's book and is a stop motion animation. At PG the BBFC guidelines allow some elements of horror as long as it meets the criteria which is there is not to many frightening scenes in the film.Not all parents agreed with the PG classification for Coraline but it could have been a 15 for horror and PG for language so the decision was made to give the film a rating of PG.