BBFC: Who are they, what is their role, and how are they funded?

• BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification.
• An independent, non-governmental body.
• Funded through the fees it charges to those who submit films and video works for classification (incl. video games, films, and programmes released on DVD, Blu-ray, or downloaded/streamed on the internet).
• Classify films on behalf of the local authorities, who license cinemas under the Licensing Act 2003.
• They will not classify material which they believe to be in breach of criminal law.
•  They carry out responsibilites, where possible, through appropriate use of the classification categories, paricularly in order to protect children from any harm which may be caused. If necessary they may cut or even reject a film or video work.
• The Guidelines, and the BBFC's practice in applying them, have particular regard to any changes in public taste, attitues, and concerns; changes in the law; or new evidence from research or expert sources; and will be reviewed periodically.
• The Guidelines are not a legal document and should be interpreted in the spirt of what is intended as as in the letter.