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Education

To this end, the BBFC has launched two educational websites in recent years - the cbbfc (Children's BBFC) site, aimed at primary school-aged children and their parents and teachers and this site, sbbfc - Students' BBFC, for Media and Film Studies students and teachers. In addition, the Board regulary hosts events, presentations and workshops for both age groups both at their offices in central London and throughout the UK. A full rundown of upcoming sbbfc events can be found here.

The BBFC is also committed to media literacy and to empowering parents to make informed decisions about the films, DVDs and video games their children watch. In 2007 the BBFC launched Parents BBFC a site containing detailed classification information about all feature films rated 'U' to '12A' in the UK, DVD releases of those films and all video games rated by the BBFC. The information includes details of what language is used in the films, key scenes and issues and other information of particular interest to parents - such as whether a film brings up issues of smoking or divorce or bereavement.

The BBFC's main website also provides Extended Consumer Information for every single film released.

Finances

In order to preserve its independence, the BBFC has never received subsidies from either the film industry or government. Its income is derived solely from the fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films or video works submitted for certification. The tariff must be approved by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The Board is a not for profit organisation, and its fees are adjusted only as required to cover its costs. Its financial affairs are administered by The Council of Management, made up of people from the manufacturing and servicing sections of the film industry. Producers, distributors and exhibitors, it was thought, would be tempted to influence decisions, while manufacturers of equipment only care that the industry continues to thrive.

Fees vary according to the length and type of work, with a standard tariff, eg an average 90 minute English language feature film or video would cost £730 plus VAT. Subtitled or untranslated foreign language works and videos already certificated on film, attract a lower tariff. Adverts and trailers are charged at a standard rate, as are digital media. Charities and non-profit making firms can apply for a reduced fee for works which are not to be distributed for gain.

Other roles

From time to time, the BBFC commissions research, sometimes in conjunction with other regulators. In 2005 it held the fourth international conference for regulators. In 2004 and 2008 / 2009, further public consultation was conducted as part of Guidelines review exercises. Details of these consultation processes and the latest Guidelines can be found in the Research section.

The BBFC also makes considerable donations to charitable causes. Some examples of recent donations include funding the restoration of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Spy in Black (1939) at the National Film & Television Archive, and funding a UK student for two years to study film-making at The London Film School.  Building on our existing contribution to Film Education, the Board absorbs Examiner expenses for attendance at Film Education events (notably National Schools Film Week).

Staff & Structure

These various Departments all play a crucial role, in the classification process:

• Technical

• Information Services (IServ)

• Accounts

• Information Technology (ISys)

• Facilities

Submitted films, videos and DVDs are logged at reception by Facilities, IServ carry out any research that is required on a work and Technical measure the DVDs and check the quality of the work (the Projectionists measure the films during the actual viewing process).

IT research and measure video game submissions. Accounts then request payment from the distributor, after which IServ programme the work for viewing by Examiners. A daily schedule or timetable is created by IServ on the BBFC's computer system that lists all the films and videos waiting to be examined. IServ also handle all queries from distributors.

Technical are also responsible for maintaining an archive of every single DVD work that has been submitted to the Board, as this is a legal requirement.

The Board also has Press/Communications, Education and Personnel Departments that contribute to the day to day running of the Board. And of course our vital database would not exist without ISys, the IT division of the BBFC.

COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT

• Drawn from the technical manufacturing side of the industry

• No involvement in policy development

• Control business affairs

• Appoint principal officers

PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS

• Appointed by the Council of Management

• Designated with statutory responsibility for classification of Video by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

DIRECTOR

• Delegated to make executive decisions

• Formulate and ensure execution of policy

• Internal management

• External relations, with industry, public and relevant bodies

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

• Can make executive decisions in director's absence

• Commission research

• Develop policy and new business

• Internal management

• External relations, with industry, public and relevant bodies

TWO SENIOR EXAMINERS

• Ratify day to day decisions

• Support Director and Deputy Director

• Manage examiner teams

EXAMINERS

• Drawn from a range of backgrounds including social work, teaching, probation, journalism, research, law, psychology and marketing

• Education Officer

THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL

• Advisory forum set up to monitor BBFC policy and practice

• Consists of representatives from United Kingdom Local Authority Associations and from the screen entertainments industry, and also other experts in relevant areas

• Chaired by the President or a Vice-President of the BBFC

THE ADVISORY PANEL ON CHILDREN’S VIEWING

• Constituted as a result of a BBFC initiative

• Charged with remit of considering all classification matters that relate to children

• Members with a range of relevant professional expertise and responsibilities

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Packaging

The Video Packaging Review Committee (VPRC), administered by the BBFC, but attended by industry representatives, was introduced in 1987. This is a voluntary system to prevent offence to members of the public caused by explicitly violent or sexual imagery on the covers of video cassettes. Cinema posters, only for films passed ‘18’, are also reviewed by a joint BBFC/Industry body.

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