Film Classification-15

A 15 rated film has been classed as only suitable for 15 + years of age. No one younger than 15 can go to the cinema to watch a 15 rated film, or buy or rent a 15 rated film or video work of any kind.

Discrimination- On the whole the video work must not express discriminatory language or behaviour of any kind.

Drugs- Actual drug taking can be displayed however the film should not encourage or promote the miss-use of drugs. The miss-use of very easy accessible drugs and extremely dangerous substances such as areosals and solvents are unlikely to be acceptible.

Horror- A use of strong threat and menace are permitted, however if it's sadistic or of a sexual nature than this would not be allowed.

Imitable behaviour- Dangerous behaviour that can be picked up on such as hanging, suicide or self harm should not be broadcasted in detail which can be copied by nature. Easily accessible weapons should also not be glamorised.

Language- Frequent use of strong language is allowed for a 15 such as 'fuck'. Strongest terms of language may only be acceptible when its justified by the context, however aggressiveness and repeated terms of the strongest terms of language is unlikely to be acceptible.

Nudity- Nudity may be allowed within a sexual context however little detail should be expressed. No constraints exist when nudity is used in a non-sexual and educational context and expression.

Sex- Sexual activity can be expressed, but not in strong detail. Strong verbal references to sex may be allowed however strongest references are unlikely to be allowed unless justified by the context of the film. Films who have a primary purpose of creating sexual arousal or stimulation are not likely to be accepted.

Theme- No particular themes are phoibited as long as the treatment is acceptible for 15 year olds.

Violence- Violence can be strong, however it should'nt dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Accesibly stronger gory images are not likely to be displayed. A strong and sadistic or sexualised violence are likely to be expressed as unnacceptable. Detailed and verbal references to scenes of a sexual violence can be portrayed, but any scenes of a sexual violence must be discreet and strong contextual justification must be portrayed to justify actions.

Suitable Only For Adults

The 18 logo on films means that people under the age of 18 are illegal to purchase the item, rent, or buy an '18' rated video/DVD.

With the consistant finding following the BBFC'S public consultations and the human rights act of 1998at '18' this means that it will not overide the main principle that adults are able to have the freedom to make their own choices of their own entertainment. Therefore exceptions are made in many of these areas:

• The material is done in the breach of a criminal law, or it has been commissioned for a criminal offence.
• where material is used in the production that the BBFC consider to be a risk or harm to individuals. This is shown through acts of behaviour and environment (society) Therefore any detailed format and portrayal of violent or dangerous decisions and acts, or the portrayal of extreme illegal drug use, which may be seen as public harm through health and morals. This may also be shown through the expression of sexual or sexualised violence, which might be delivered through the example of eroticise or endorse sexual assault. 
• The content in the film may also be shown with more explicit images of sexual activity. This doesnt have to be portrayed with justification in context of the film. These images may be found appropriate in 'R18' works, and in 'sex works' that are normally confined to that category.

When considering video works, such as video games, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, actual intervention may be more frequent than actual cinema films. 

Sex education at '18' - The sex material in the content is used to inform and educate in actual human sexuality delivering messages of safe sex, health, then explicit sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at '18' - The term sex works are productions that deliberately express a nature of and a primary purpose of sexual arousal and stimulation. Sex works that only contain this kind of material that may be simulated are generally tagged as an '18'. Works that contain clear images of real sex, strong fetish performaces,  sexually explicit animated images, or any other strong sexual images, which will be confirmed as an 'R18' cetegory. Material which is considered to be unacceptable in an 'R18' is also prohibited in a sex work title '18'. 


http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines