Research: Certificates

Most horror films are certificate 15 however some will be 18 or 12 it depends on what is included in the scenes.

 

12 are films suitable from people aged 12 and over, some are 12As allow parents to judge whether a child younger can go see it. A 12 is the lowest certificate that a horror film can be given. When it comes to language the guidelines say the use of words such as F*** can be used but infrequently. Moderate use of words such as b*tch and tw*t.
Nudity and sex scenes should be brief and discrete, verbal sex should be suitable for young teenagers and crude references are disallowed. Violence is allowed detail should be minimal, there should be no emphasis on blood or injuries however brief shots are permitted. Sexual violence can only be implied. 12A is the youngest certificate a horror film can be given an example is 'The Woman in Black'.

 

Certificate 15 can include a lot more then 12 Strong language, violence can be used. Strong references to sex can be used as well as sex can be displayed and nudity is permitted. Brief scenes of sexual violence is allowed as well as discriminatory language or behaviour and drug taking can be displayed. There can be strong threat and menace (as long as it’s not in a sadistic or sexualised way) any images of the strongest gore are not permitted.

 

 If the film is certificated 18 then the content is not suitable for those under 18 and is likely to affect those who are of age. The content of 18 is not restricted in most ways the only restriction is promoting the misuse of drugs. All the bellow are allowed; very strong violence, frequent use of strong language and very strong language C***, strong portrayals of sexual behaviour, strong scene of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore and discriminative language and behaviour.



We are going to certificate our film 15, so that it restricts younger viewers and we can include strong language, violence, as well as strong threat and menace.