Submitting a film, trailer or cinema advertisement
See [BBFC's Terms of Business],and the [film submission form].
- All film submissions must be booked in advance with the BBFC.
- Film features and trailers must be accompanied by a film submission form.
- All reels must be labelled clearly.
- All advertisements must be accompanied by an advertisement submission form.
Please note that the film print must arrive at the
Board no later than 5pm on the working day before its scheduled date
for examination, unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
The hours of business are 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Customers should telephone to check whether the film is ready to be collected. All collections must be signed for.
Filling in the submission form
Each film booking requires a completed film submission form.
Customers who submit works on a regular basis
should ensure that the company name and account number are correctly
entered on the submission form. If a company has more than one division
the correct division name and account number must be entered on the
form. In the case of a new customer, an account number will be created
with the first submission.
Customers should make clear on the submission form
the language used in the work. The BBFC may need to arrange
interpreters for some languages. A work in a language other than
English need only include English subtitles if they will be present in
the work when released.
Information on the submission form, like whether a
work has been previously classified in the UK, can affect the
feecharged so it is essential that the information is correct.
In complete information can also delay processing of the film.
Delivering the film to the BBFC
Customers should contact the BBFC Customer Helpline
(020 7440 0299) to agree a date for the film to be submitted. We
endeavour to arrange a viewing date within three days of the final print
being available.
Please note that the film print must arrive at
the Board no later than 5pm on the working day before its scheduled
date for examination, unless other arrangements have been made. Failure
to meet this deadline will result in the film losing its place in
the schedule and can result in a cancellation fee.
All reels should be delivered
together, with each reel in a suitable
container. The example on the left below is how the film should be
delivered. The example on the right, a genuine submission, renders the
stock liable to damage and can result in it being returned unseen.
PICTURES ON WESBITE
The film title and reel number should on each reel as well as the container in which the reel is delivered.
All submissions should be either 35 mm or 16mm gauge. The BBFC can accept films in the following formats:
35 mm. Combined optical prints. With sound types Dolby digital stereo, Dolby SR analogue, Dolby "A" type and Mono.
35 mm. Double-head separate sound
and picture tracks. With magnetic sound types, single track mono, two
trackwith/without SVA Dolby encoding and three track.
16 mm. Standard Ratio optical combined monosound prints - Each 16 mm reel should have capacity of no more than 2200 Ft - 650m.
All reels should have head and
tail protection leaders with the name of the film and the reel number on
and they should be securely attached to the main body of the reel.
All reels should have a plastic core in the centre with the exception of 16 mm reels supplied on spools.
If you have any questions about the submission process contact the customer helpline on 020 7440 0299
Technical checks
Each reel is measured, usually from the first identifiable frame to the last.
The number of reels supplied is checked along with the technical quality of the film.
If any significant damage is found
before viewing, the submitting company will be notified. If a replacement
cannot be obtained, the damaged copy will only be used if examination
would not be seriously compromised.
Payment
Fees are based on the length of the work and
calculated according to the tariff published on the BBFC website and
also on request.
The BBFC operates a prepayment system for all works
submitted. Customers can operate on a pro-forma invoice basis, or send
money on account which is run down as works are received and topped up
as necessary. A ‘deposit against prepayment scheme’ is also
possible. In all cases a VAT invoice is raised after examination has
taken place, or when the secondary process has been approved.
If you have any questions about payments contact the Accounts department on 020 7440 0370/1 or by email - accounts@bbfc.co.uk.
Examination
The examiners apply the current BBFC Guidelines to propose the appropriate category for the work. The BBFC Guidelines are published on the website and available on request.
Examiners compile reports on the viewing for senior
staff to approve. The final check of the title as shown onscreen is
made against the title as submitted. If these are different the work
will not be finally classified until this is resolved.
Examiners may propose that the work
requires cuts. These may be either compulsory to meet statutory or
guidelines obligations or voluntary to obtain a lower category.
Requesting a category
Specific category requests can be made
on the submission form. The classification decision is reached following
the BBFC Guidelines but, for example, if it is imperative that the film
be awarded a ‘12A’ category and it is assessed
as ‘15’ the Board will contact the customer and discuss
the possibility of a second viewing of the work by senior examining
staff or cuts to the work to reduce the category. This has the benefit
to the customer of saving the time which would be involved in receiving
a classification higher than required and having to repeat the
submission process.
If cuts are required
Most works are passed without any cuts
and with little difficulty regarding the category. However, if the work
does require cuts you will be informed by letter. The letter gives a
summary of the cuts and then gives a detailed description of each cut
that is required. See below for an example.
| At 108.5 mins |
Example cut |
| Status |
Cuts for Category |
| Ground |
BBFC Guidelines |
| Issues |
Sex/Nudity |
| Category with cut |
15 |
| Category without cut |
18 |
A summary of the cuts will appear on the BBFC website once the work is classified.
Approval
The formal authority for approval of works is
the President of the BBFC. This authority is delegated to the senior
staff of the BBFC – the Director, the Deputy Director and
the Senior Examiners, referred to hereafter as “approvers”.
All category proposals and recommendations for cuts are considered by an approver.
Classification
The BBFC is always willing to discuss an individual classification decision with the customer.
A classification certificate and Black
Card, is issued to the customer. In the case of
‘U’, ‘PG’ and ‘12A’ rated films
asecond ‘black card’ explaining the meaning of the
category is also supplied.
Black Cards are only issued to
film features. Trailers and advertisements need only have the appropriate
category displayed on the print.
The Black Card, including the title and
the BBFC register number must appear at the front of the film. The
second ‘black card’, where applicable, should
appear immediately after the title Black Card and remain on screen for at
least eight seconds.
Consumer Advice
The BBFC views the provision of Consumer Advice for
films as very important. Our public opinion polling shows that
the public wants Consumer Advice to help decide which films to see
with children in particular. The BBFC reached an agreement with the
Film Distributors Association that the Consumer Advice which the
BBFC provides for each film should be included in all publicity
material, including posters, newspaper, radio and television
advertising. The Consumer Advice is provided with the category decision.
Return of Print
After the classification process has
taken place, the film should be collected. Customers are advised to
contact the Customer Helpline to check that the print is ready. All
collections must be signed for and the BBFC does not return prints by
post or any other means.
Withdrawal Fee
Works submitted to the Board and subsequently withdrawn may incur a withdrawal fee. Please see the Notes to Fee Tariff for further information.
Piracy
The BBFC is extremely concerned about this issue and
has been accredited by FACT (The Federation Against Copyright Theft).
When a film is collected the person collecting must show proof of
identity and authorisation from the customer that s/he has permission to
remove the print from BBFC premises.
Uncollected Prints
Reasonable efforts will be made to
contact the submitting company if any film material remains at
the Board’s premises after a period of 90 days from the date of
viewing. If the film material has still not been collected after a
further 90 days, the Board will dispose of the material.
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