Film rating

If a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate authorises the exhibition of a films, the licence must include a condition requiring the admission of children to films to be restricted in accordance with the recommendations of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), or of the Licensing Authority for the area in which the film is to be shown.

There are exemptions to the requirement for the venue to be licensed.  These are if;

• it consists of or forms part of an exhibit put on show for any purposes of a museum or art gallery, or 
• its sole or main purpose is to; 
  • demonstrate any product,  
  • advertise any goods or services, 
  • provide information, education or instruction  
• the film is shown on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis in a community premises between the hours of 8:00am and 11:00pm provided that the audience does not exceed 500. 

The Council role in the classification of films to be shown in its area is –  

• the classification of previously unclassified films 
• the amendment of classifications and the consideration of appeals by distributors against the BBFC’s decisions 
• requests to reclassify films. 

The Council uses the classification system used by the BBFC as a reference point for determining its recommendation on the restriction of access of children to the films. 

Applications can be made online and should be made at least two months in advance of the film being shown.