Where possible, the BBFC deals with any issues raised in a submitted work through classification at the appropriate category. In some cases, however, assurances, cuts or other changes (for example, the addition of warning captions) will be required as a condition of classification, or as a condition of classification at a particular category. In some circumstances a work may be rejected, ie refused a classification at any category. The General Principles under which such decisions are made are set out on page 4 (see General Principles page). Details of interventions are published on this website.

Cuts for category

If the submitted work is suitable for classification, but only at a category higher than that requested by the submitting company, the BBFC will consider whether a lower category could be achieved through relatively minor or simple changes. If so, the BBFC may offer the submitting company a choice of accepting the higher category or making defined changes to achieve a lower category.

The decision to offer such ‘cuts for category’ is at the discretion of the BBFC and this option is unlikely to be available if the required changes would be extensive or complex, or if the effect of possible changes would be difficult to predict. In such circumstances, the submitting company may choose to make a new submission of a different version of the work at a later date.

Compulsory cuts

If a submitted work raises issues or concerns that cannot be addressed by classification at a particular category, cuts or other changes may be required as a condition of classification. Such intervention is most likely with regard to the following:

• material which may promote illegal activity
• material which is obscene or otherwise illegal
• material created by means of the commission of a criminal offence
• portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive context
• sexual violence or sexualised violence which endorses or eroticises the behaviour
• sadistic violence or torture which invites the viewer to identify with the perpetrator in a  way which raises a risk of harm
• graphic images of real injury,violence or death presented in a salacious or sensationalist manner which risks harm by encouraging callous or sadistic attitudes
• sex works which contain material listed as unacceptable at ‘R18’.

When the issue relates to the circumstances of filming (for example, in relation to animal cruelty or public indecency) the submitting company will normally be given an opportunity to present evidence before a final decision is reached.

Rejects

If a central concept of the work is unacceptable (for example, a sex work with a rape theme); or if intervention in any of the ways noted above is not acceptable to the submitting company; or if the changes required would be extensive or complex; the work may be rejected, ie refused a classification at any category.