Films that are to be shown to a public audience must be given a classification rating. A typical example of this would be a locally made film to be shown at a local film festival.
If you're a film maker or promoter, you can apply to either:
- the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
- the Local Authority for the area where the film is being shown
Any film that has not been classified by the BBFC must not be shown in public in commercial premises until the Licensing Authority for that area has classified it, even if it has previously been classified by another licensing authority. There is a fee for this service.
As licensing authority, we consider the BBFC's classification system process and guidance to be nationally understood. We therefore use the general principles of their guidance and their processes as our benchmark for determining our recommendation on the restriction of access of children to film(s).
For more information regarding classification, visit the BBFC website.
Apply for classification of a film
To apply for the classification of a film, email licensing@bathnes.gov.uk.
An application for classification should include the following information:
- the names of the film maker/director and producer
- a brief plot outline of the film
- the length of the film
- the recommended age limit suggested by the film maker, and reasons why
- the language spoken in the film and whether there are subtitles in English
All requests should be accompanied by a copy of the film(s) either in DVD format or via a secure link to the film.
We cannot guarantee a film will be classified in time for it to be shown unless the request is received at least 28 days before the date of a film screening.
Regulated entertainment
Under the Licensing Act 2003 the showing of a film is classified as 'regulated entertainment'. In addition to having your film classified, you may also require a licence to provide regulated entertainment.
Venues which hold a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 may be able to show films. If there is no premises licence in place or the licence does not authorise regulated entertainment, you can apply for a Minor Variation to add this to the licence permanently, or serve a Temporary Event Notice for a one-off event.
Where a licensed premises intends to show films, the Licensing Act 2003 requires a mandatory condition to be placed on the Premises Licences or Club Premises Certificates which restricts the admission of children (persons aged under 18) to the showing of any film.
In this context, the showing of a film is not classed as entertainment for the purposes of this Act, if its sole or main purpose is to:
- demonstrate any product
- advertise any goods or services; or
- provide information, education or instruction
If the premises and/or showing of a film is not regulated by the Licensing Act 2003, it is still necessary to comply with the recommendations issued by the BBFC or Licensing Authority in terms of age restriction. This includes classification and the admission of children to view the film in community premises.