The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) recently conducted a survey involving 12,000 people across the UK to gather insights and opinions for their latest Classification Guidelines. The results of this survey have prompted the BBFC to make adjustments to their age ratings for films containing violence, on-screen sex, and nudity.
Audience feedback revealed concerns about the level of sexual detail, nudity, and duration of sex scenes in films rated 12A/12 under the previous 2019 guidelines. Consequently, the BBFC will be taking a more cautious approach to classifying sex scenes, particularly those teetering on the edge of the 12A/12 and 15 ratings. Similar content will now be more likely to receive a 15 rating.
Violence in Films
In addition to sexual content, the survey results indicated that audiences are increasingly concerned about depictions of violence in films across all age ratings. While there was some support for the current classification of violence, viewers expressed worries about the distressing nature of certain violent scenes. As a result, the BBFC is considering assigning higher ratings for intense or impactful violence scenes across all age categories.
Sexual violence emerged as the primary concern for UK audiences, closely followed by suicide and self-harm. This shift in audience worries highlights the need for content warnings and advisories related to suicide and self-harm in films. The BBFC has pledged to continue highlighting these sensitive topics in their content advice moving forward.
Interestingly, the survey findings showed that audiences are more accepting of cannabis misuse at the 12A/12 age rating, as long as it is not portrayed in a detailed, glamorized, or frequent manner. The BBFC plans to adopt a less restrictive approach to cannabis misuse while maintaining stringent standards for the portrayal of other drugs.
Impact of Audience Feedback
BBFC President Natasha Kaplinsky emphasized the importance of adapting to societal changes and evolving opinions reflected in the research findings. She highlighted the dedication and insight that went into the Classification Guidelines update process, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to shaping its standards based on audience feedback. Chief Executive David Austin OBE underscored the significance of gaining audience trust and aligning content classification with the expectations of families across the UK.
The new film Classification Guidelines introduced by the BBFC demonstrate a proactive approach to meeting audience expectations and addressing evolving societal concerns. By incorporating feedback from a comprehensive survey, the BBFC aims to ensure that films are classified appropriately, providing viewers with relevant information and warnings about potentially sensitive content.