Films and trailers should be submitted in the format that they are going to be released i.e. content to be released digitally must be submitted as a DCP with relevant KDM, likewise 3D content must be submitted in 3D etc.  All content submitted for classification must be the full, final edit, in the correct screen ratio and with the final sound mix.

Historic BBFC Black Cards or ratings cards issued by another regulator or classification body should be removed prior to submission. This is to avoid any potential misunderstanding or conflict with the current BBFC classification.

The only context in which historical BBFC Black Cards or ratings cards issued by another regulator or classification body can remain is part of Bonus Material submitted to accompany a Home Ent. release.

Please see our technical requirements below.

Any content to be released in both 2D and 3D may require separate submissions as the different formats may raise differing classification issues. We apply a concessionary rate in some cases. 

Any content submitted for a theatrical age rating does not need to be retained by the BBFC and you can arrange to collect it following the classification decision. Any theatrical submissions not collected will be retained for two months, after which time they will be destroyed.

In order to submit content please make a submission on our client portal - BBFC Horizon. You will need to request a date, please note slots are issued on a first come, first served basis. 

If you do not have an account, please request one.

Please deliver your DCP to the BBFC offices here, or send the content via LANsat, MovieTransit, or QubeWire. Trailers can be delivered using an FTP service, please email us the link to download the trailer.

Content submitted digitally must arrive, along with payment, by the delivery deadline. Any KDMs or download links must be emailed to us  by the same deadline. If you have any questions, contact Projection on 020 7440 1570. 

Alternatively external viewings can be arranged depending on availability. Please contact the Client Helpline.

Details of fees and service charges are listed on our Fee Tariff.

We can also give you advice as to what rating unfinished content may receive. We recommend using this service when you require a specific rating for your film or trailer. Please see the Advice viewing section for more information.

If we previously classified a film and you wish to re-release it theatrically with a BBFC certificate and Black Card, you may need to submit it to us for a new age rating. Our guidance on reclassification gives detail about how to do this.

The BBFC does not have an IMAX screen, so viewings of some IMAX films or trailers will need to be arranged at an external screen. Please contact projection@bbfc.co.uk before arranging the screening.

Theatrical distributors need to submit IMAX content to the BBFC for classification if at least one of the following three criteria applies:

• The content is only being released in the IMAX format

• The content contains scenes shot in IMAX

• The content is being shown on an IMAX screen with an altered aspect ratio in comparison to the standard release format

If the content is only being released in IMAX:

• We will view the content in IMAX format and charge the IMAX version under the standard tariff based on polled locations at the widest point of release.

If an IMAX version is submitted after a corresponding standard (i.e. non-IMAX) version:

• We will need to view the IMAX version as well, as it may be more impactful than the standard version and may require a different rating. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the IMAX version.

If an IMAX version is submitted before a corresponding standard (i.e. non-IMAX) version:

• We will charge the IMAX version according to the widest point of release for the standard version, if the standard version is having a wider release than the IMAX version. The distributor should therefore tell us, when submitting the IMAX version, the estimated widest point of release of the widest-release version.

• If, after the IMAX viewing, we need to view the content again, in whole or in part, before making the rating decision, we may be able to view a standard DCP version rather than re-viewing the IMAX version, but only if we can consider the issues via the standard DCP version. In the absence of a DCP being available, we may be able to accept a viewing link, but only if we can consider the issues without the need for a DCP.

• As long as the standard version doesn't contain anything not already present in the IMAX version, we will replicate the IMAX rating decision for the standard version of the film, on the basis that the IMAX version is more impactful. The distributor must book in the standard version for a new certificate and black card, which we will charge at the black-card flat rate. To receive the certificate and black card, the distributor must either email projection@bbfc.co.uk with the running time of the standard version or supply us with the DCP of the standard version so that we can measure it ourselves.

• If there are plans to release the film in 3D and 2D, then as long as any 2D IMAX version and standard 3D and 2D versions don’t contain anything not already present in the 3D IMAX version, if we view the 3D IMAX version first we will replicate the 3D IMAX rating decision for those corresponding versions. As per their release plans, the distributor must book in the 2D IMAX version and supply the 2D IMAX measurement, and must book in the standard 3D and 2D versions and either email projection@bbfc.co.uk with the running times or supply the DCP files so that we can measure them ourselves, for new certificates and black cards. We will charge the 2D IMAX and standard 3D and 2D versions each at the black-card flat rate.

• In all of the above cases, we can only permit this within six months of the date of the IMAX classification, to mitigate the risk of the IMAX decision being out of date in relation to any changes to guidelines or policy.

• If a standard version contains material not present in the IMAX version, and/or if a 2D (IMAX or standard) version contains material not present in the 3D version, we will need also to view the different version(s) in full and charge each at the applicable tier, even if we have already classified the (3D) IMAX version and charged as per above.

If a 3D IMAX version is submitted after a corresponding 2D IMAX version:

• We will need to view the 3D IMAX version as well, as it may be more impactful than the 2D IMAX version and may require a different rating. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the 3D IMAX submission.

If a standard 3D version is submitted after a corresponding 2D IMAX version:

• We will need to view the standard 3D version as well, as it may be more impactful than the 2D IMAX version and may require a different rating. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the standard 3D submission.

If we view an IMAX version for advice:

That IMAX submission is eligible for conversion to a formal classification as long as it adheres to the terms of our “Converting advice submissions to formal classifications” policy.

4DX exhibition does not require a separate submission and age rating in addition to the regular DCP version of the film sent to us for classification.

ScreenX versions of theatrical releases contain additional footage compared to the standard theatrical version and so the BBFC needs to classify them separately. Please note the BBFC does not have a ScreenX screen, and so distributors need to arrange viewings of ScreenX films at a suitable external venue.

In some cases, the ScreenX version may be the only theatrical version that we need to view. This will depend on the following factors:

• The other formats the content is being released in

• The order in which the different versions are available to be viewed

• The impact of the additional ScreenX footage on the classification

If the content is only being released in ScreenX:

• We will view the content in the ScreenX format and charge the ScreenX version under the standard tariff based on polled locations at the widest point of release.

If a ScreenX version is submitted after a corresponding standard version:

• We will need to view the ScreenX version as well, because the additional footage may impact the classification. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the ScreenX version.

If a ScreenX version is submitted before a corresponding standard version:

• We will charge the ScreenX version according to the widest point of release for the standard version, if the standard version is having a wider release than the ScreenX version. The distributor should therefore tell us, when submitting the ScreenX version, the estimated widest point of release of the widest-release version.

• If, after the ScreenX viewing, we need to view the content again, in whole or in part, before making the rating decision, we may be able to view a standard DCP version rather than re-viewing the ScreenX version, but only if we can consider all the relevant classification issues via the standard DCP version. In the absence of a DCP being available, we may be able to accept a viewing link, but only if we can consider the issues without the need for a DCP.

• Provided the distributor can confirm that the standard version doesn't contain anything not already present in the ScreenX version (i.e. if the standard version is identical to the content exhibited on the central ScreenX panel), we will replicate the ScreenX rating decision for the standard version of the film, provided that it wasn’t the additional ScreenX footage or the impact of the format that earned the film its rating. The distributor must book in the standard version for a new certificate and black card, which we will charge at the black card flat rate. To receive the certificate and black card, the distributor must either email projection@bbfc.co.uk with the running time of the standard version or supply us with the DCP of the standard version so that we can measure it ourselves.

• If the rating decision was determined by the additional ScreenX footage or the impact of the format, then even if the standard version is the same edit as the central ScreenX panel, we will need to view the standard version separately. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for this.

• We can only permit this within six months of the date of the ScreenX classification, to mitigate the risk of the ScreenX decision being out of date in relation to any changes to guidelines or policy.

If the content is also being released in 3D: 

• We will need to view the 3D version in addition to the ScreenX version, as it may be more impactful and may require a different rating. We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the second version viewed.

If the content is also being released in IMAX:

• We will need to view the IMAX version in addition to the Screen X version if at least one of the following two criteria applies:

• The content contains scenes shot in IMAX

• The content will be shown on IMAX screens with an altered aspect ratio in comparison to the central panel of the ScreenX version

• We will charge the Tier 1 fee for the second version viewed.

• Please refer to our IMAX submission policy above for further guidance.

If we view a ScreenX version for advice:

That ScreenX submission is eligible for conversion to a formal classification as long as it adheres to the terms of our “Converting advice submissions to formal classifications” policy.

ScreenX trailers:

We can view ScreenX trailers (though not features) in-house if you provide us with a DCP or video file showing the central panel and the side wings within the same frame. Please see the example below.

All requests must be made by email. Reconsideration requests will only be considered if the rating has not been accepted on the client portal, Horizon.

Provided the conditions set out below are met, a request for reconsideration may be made in respect of:

1. The age rating awarded

2. Any cuts or alterations required as condition of classification at a particular age rating (cuts for category); or

3. Any cuts or alterations required regardless of age rating (compulsory cuts)

A company wishing to appeal against a decision to refuse an age rating should proceed directly to Stage Two

A reconsideration of the age rating awarded can be made up to 42 calendar days after receiving the age rating decision.

After this period the decision can only be revisited by making a fresh submission, with normal tariff fees applying. Requests to reconsider cuts must be made within 42 calendar days of receipt of the cuts list.

On receipt of a written request for reconsideration, we will ensure that the content, or the relevant parts, are viewed again, including by senior staff. The outcome of the reconsideration will be sent to the submitting company within ten working days (subject to print availability in the case of film content), provided there is no need to seek views from legal and/or other external advisers. If this is required, such views will be sought and considered as soon as is reasonably practicable.

If a reconsideration results in a different age rating, the submitting company may be required to return paperwork previously issued by the BBFC before new paperwork can be issued.

Reconsideration decisions are final. A submitting company wishing to pursue the matter further must make use of the procedures set out in Stage Two.

A distributor dissatisfied with a BBFC determination in respect of its submitted content may appeal to an independent authority.

If the content is a theatrical release being classified under the Licensing Act 2003 then the appeal may be made to the local authority (or authorities) in whose area(s) the content is to be shown.

As a result of their role in licensing all public cinemas within their area, local authorities retain the right to vary a BBFC age rating decision, by raising or lowering the age rating, by waiving cuts, by requiring additional cuts, by permitting the showing of a film refused an age rating by the BBFC or by forbidding the showing of a film classified by the BBFC.