2000s

New Guidelines 2000 

New Guidelines were introduced in 2000, following extensive public consultation in 1999. The process involved a series of public presentations across the UK, 2 cititzens' juries surveys and questionnaires as well as contributions from the film and video industry. Major outcome was that drugs/drug use was parents' greatest cause of concern, as well as violence in lower classification categories. Portrayal of sexual activity however caused less concern than previously.

Controversy

In 1999 the BBFC received three European films that challenged the Board's standards on sex.  All three films contained scenes of unsimultated sex that would not normally have been be acceptable at '18'.  However, as the Board moved into the new millennium it soon became clear that these were not to be isolated examples.  A whole generation of European film makers seemed determined to push the boundaries of what was sexually acceptable on the screen. Fortunately, the 1999-2000 consultation exercise had revealed a general desire on the part of the public that the BBFC should relax its attitudes to sex at '15' and '18'.  Accordingly the new guidelines stated that real sex may be permitted at '18' in the future, provided that the images were exceptionally justified by context (ie not purely there for titillation).

However, once sexual violence entered the equation, things became more complicated. One example was Baise-moi which included not only scenes of explicit sex but also a horrifying rape scene, which incorporated explicit detail.


The DCMS and Ofcom

In June 2001, governmental responsibility for film and video classification moved from the Home Office to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Ofcom is the new regulator for television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. The regulation of films, videos and DVDs does not fall under Ofcom's remit and remains the responsibility of the BBFC. The BBFC is still the only regulator which regulates material before it is seen by the public .

The '12A' rating

In 2002, the new '12A' category was introduced, allowing children under 12 to see a '12A' film, provided that they are accompanied throughout by an adult. This decision to was taken after a pilot scheme and research had been conducted to assess public reaction. The new category was also conditional on the provision and publication of Consumer Advice for '12A' films.  The Board considers '12A' films to be suitable for audiences OVER the age of 12, but acknowledges that parents know best whether their children younger than 12 can cope with a particular film. 

Consumer Advice

While the BBFC has been producing Consumer Advice for films which appeared on the website, it was the introduction of the '12A' category which saw its appearance on film posters, TV advertisements and in cinema listings for '12A' films.  A single line of information about the film's content indicates what viewers can expect to encounter in the film and therefore why it was given its rating.  This is particularly helpful for parents deciding what films are suitable for their children, and in particular whether to take children younger than 12 to a '12A' film.  In 2004, the majority of film distributors agreed to include the Consumer Advice in publicity for all films.

New Guidelines 2005

On 9 February 2005, the BBFC published a new set of Guidelines based on an even more extensive research programme than the one which resulted in the 2000 Guidelines.  Over 11,000 people contributed their views on the BBFC's Guidelines, Public support for the BBFC went up from 59% in 2000 to 63% in 2004.

Important 2006 Decisions

In 2006, landmark ‘18’ certificates were awarded to two high-profile films containing explicit images of real sex. The Observer’s Philip French stated that ‘The award of 18 certificates by the BBFC to Shortbus and Destricted has brought close the abolition of censorship, but not of classification.’

2007


2007 saw the introduction of Parents’ BBFC, a website designed to help parents and guardians make what they consider to be sensible choices for their children’s viewing. The website provides up -to -date information about films and video games in the junior categories, offering a brief plot summary and details of why the film or game received its U, PG or 12A/12. The purpose of the website is to take the guesswork out of making an informed decision about what is suitable viewing for any particular child, a decision best made by a parent or guardian.

New Guidelines 2009

On 23 June 2009, the BBFC published its most recent set of Guidelines based on another detailed public consultation exercise conducted in 2008-2009.  Over 8,700 people contributed their views on the BBFC's Guidelines, in the form of lengthy questionnaires and focus groups.  82% of the general public felt that the BBFC was ‘effective’, which is around the same figure as that produced by the 2004 research.