Here are some of the frequently asked questions we get from teachers and educators about the BBFC, our age ratings and our education work.
It is not illegal for schools to show their students a movie that is rated higher than the age of the pupils in the class. This is because merely showing an age-restricted film to an underaged person is not an offence.
However, we would strongly discourage such a practice unless (a) the children in question are close to the age of the rating, and (b) there is a serious educational purpose to showing the content (eg. showing a 15-rated film adaptation of a literary set text to 14-year-old GCSE students). We would also recommend teachers secure parental consent before doing so.
For more information on how to use film safely in the classroom, see here.
Please note that it is illegal to take underage persons to the cinema to see a film rated higher than their age. So, if you are taking a school group to the cinema for a standard screening where you are paying to view the film, the normal rules and laws apply. You may not take a 14-year-old to see a 15-rated film or a 16-year-old to see an 18-rated film.
It’s unlikely that we will be able to deliver a talk to your school in person. However, we offer opportunities for online talks all throughout the year.
At the moment, we are no longer able to host school talks at the BBFC’s offices in London. However, we offer opportunities for online talks all throughout the year.
Yes, we’re happy to speak to parents about the work of the BBFC and signpost to our relevant parent-focused resources. If you would like to request a talk for your PTA or local home educator group, please email education@bbfc.co.uk.
Full age rating histories, including information about cuts or rejections, are available on our website. This information is accessible via a simple search for the film’s title on our home page.
Yes. We are happy to provide access to BBFC files which are over 20 years old. Any requests should be made via helpline@bbfc.co.uk and should include the title(s) of the film and release date(s).
We also have a catalogue of case studies about various films, including those taught on film and media studies curriculums. You can also check our website for information relating to a film’s age rating and classification history.
Yes, we’re happy to try and help answer students’ questions via email, time and resources permitting. However, we do ask that students search our website and research their questions independently before contacting us.
Our content advice provides a short description of the issues contained in a film or piece of episodic content. This is designed to give the viewer an idea of what type of issues will occur, so that they can make an informed and empowered viewing decision. For all theatrical releases, as well as some films that have particular relevance to educators, we also produce expanded content advice, which you can find on our website. This gives more detailed descriptions about all the content issues included in a movie. If your pupils are studying any film, it is worth checking out our content advice and the film’s age rating history on our website, as this can be a helpful tool to understand the rationale behind an age rating decision. We strongly advise that you check our content advice before showing any film material to your class.
At the moment we are not currently recruiting for new youth panel members. However, we will advertise on our website and social media channels when we are looking for more young people to join our panel.
For more information about our youth panel, please see here.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any work experience or work placement schemes at the moment. From time to time there are opportunities for work shadowing and work experience placements. However, these are only available to applicants aged 18 or over, because of the amount of highly sensitive, unrated and age restricted material found in the building at any one time.
Work experience opportunities will be published on our website as and when they become available.
If you have a student that is interested in the BBFC’s work, then please encourage them to read more about our Youth Panel and consider applying to join when recruitment next opens.
We often introduce films and host ‘BBFC Masterclass’ talks as part of the Into Film Festival in November and the Spring Screenings programme in March. For more information, and to book your students onto a BBFC event, please visit Into Film’s website.
No. Since 30 July 2012, with a few minor exceptions, the responsibility for age rating video games moved to the Games Rating Authority (GRA), who issue age ratings using the PEGI system. You can request a school talk from the GRA and access a range of educational resources about their work rating video games on their website.
