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British Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a hybrid system. There is no general requirement that a film must have a BBFC certificate before being shown, but this position is achieved indirectly by the power of local councils to license cinemas. Most licences have a condition attached that only films with a BBFC certificate will be shown. Like television and radio programmes, films can be prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act, although feature films (not less than 16 millimetres) can be prosecuted or forfeited only with the approval of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The BBFC has been given an enlarged role in relation to videos and DVDs. Here it is a censor in law as well as in practice and it is an offence to supply an unclassified video or DVD or to breach any restrictions which have been imposed by the BBFC (as to minimum age, type of supplier, and so on). Videos and DVDs concerned with sport, religion, music and education are exempt, but not if they show or are designed to encourage human sexual activity (or force or restraint associated with it), or mutilation, torture or other gross acts of violence towards humans or animals. Videos are also not exempt, if they show human genitalia or human urinary or excretory functions. The BBFC has to consider whether videos or DVDs are suitable for viewing in the home. There is an appeal structure for those who submit videos or DVDs to the BBFC, but the sizeable fees charged by the Board and the delays that the process necessarily entails can cause grave difficulties for producers.
The BBFC has been given an enlarged role in relation to videos and DVDs. Here it is a censor in law as well as in practice and it is an offence to supply an unclassified video or DVD or to breach any restrictions which have been imposed by the BBFC (as to minimum age, type of supplier, and so on). Videos and DVDs concerned with sport, religion, music and education are exempt, but not if they show or are designed to encourage human sexual activity (or force or restraint associated with it), or mutilation, torture or other gross acts of violence towards humans or animals. Videos are also not exempt, if they show human genitalia or human urinary or excretory functions. The BBFC has to consider whether videos or DVDs are suitable for viewing in the home. There is an appeal structure for those who submit videos or DVDs to the BBFC, but the sizeable fees charged by the Board and the delays that the process necessarily entails can cause grave difficulties for producers.
