IndustryTheatrical ratingsPublic Information / Campaigning Films

Theatrical ratings

Public Information / Campaigning Films

We classify public information/campaigning films for theatrical release on behalf of local licensing authorities who license cinemas under the Licensing Act 2003.

As of 31 March 2016 age rating theatrical advertisements that are paid-for messages for commercial goods or services is delegated to the Cinema Advertising Association (CAA). We define a public information/campaigning film as content that is not a paid-for message for a commercial good or service.

Do I need to submit my work for classification?

All theatrical public information/campaigning films must be submitted for classification, unless permission is granted by the licensing authority in the area for the film to be shown without a BBFC age rating.

What can/can't I submit?

All public information/campaigning films submitted to us must be the full, final edit in the correct screen ratio with final sound mix.

All theatrical public information/campaigning films should be uploaded directly to us in Horizon, we can also accept streaming links. We do not accept download links.

Any film to be distributed in both 2D and 3D may require separate submissions as the different formats may raise differing classification issues. In some cases we offer a concessionary rate. 

Please see our general technical requirements for submissions.

How do I submit?

In order to submit a work please make an entry on our extranet service.

If you do not have an account please request one. 

How much does it cost?

Visit our fees page to calculate your cost. 

Displaying the BBFC’s age rating

The public information / campaigning film should display the appropriate BBFC age rating symbol on screen for a minimum of five seconds, before the film begins or appear in the bottom left- or right-hand corner of the film itself.

Please contact us to get access to high resolution copies of the BBFC rating symbols.

Is there anything else I need to consider?

We also provide an advice service to help you establish what rating an unfinished work may receive. 

Deregulation of Cinema Advertising – Q&A
No, the CAA will continue to apply the terms of the CAP Code to advertisements. Where a public information / campaigning film also has a BBFC age rating, this should be displayed on screen in cinemas.
Please submit it to the BBFC and the CAA. We will consider it for classification under our Classification Guidelines and the CAA will consider it in line with the CAP Code.
Please submit it in exactly the same way you submit cinema advertisements to the BBFC. The only difference will be that, rather than completing the “advertisement” submission form, please use the “public information / campaigning film” submission form on the BBFC extranet.

Please contact the BBFC Helpline and we will be happy to advise you. Our premises are closed until further notice, but we're still working. Please contact us on helpline@bbfc.co.uk as this phone line is not currently in use.

Any content that would normally be classified by the BBFC for cinema, DVD/Blu-ray, or Video-On-Demand should be submitted to the BBFC as a Public Information/Campaigning Film and to the CAA. This includes any advertisement for tie-in film content and content for a television programme/series for a streaming service.
Yes. You should submit it to the BBFC and the CAA.
These are categorised as advertisements and classified by the CAA only.
These are categorised as public campaigning films, and are classified by the BBFC. You should submit it to the BBFC and the CAA.
Yes, as the BBFC still classifies this content.
Yes. The CAA will issue you with a confirmation of the age suitability of your advert, so you can place it within the programme of a suitable film.
No, since the BBFC no longer classifies these advertisements, there is no risk that the cinema audience will mistake the rating of the game for the rating of the advertisement.