Film Classification

Under the Licensing Act 2003 the definition of film has been expanded to mean any exhibition of moving pictures, including feature films, adverts and trailers. This definition also now covers the showing of a video and other visual image media, including non-live digital exhibitions of plays, operas and pop concerts.

Where a licensed premise 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 exhibition of any film/s in accordance with:

• either the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
• OR any recommendation made by this licensing authority

If you intend to only show films classified by the BBFC, there is no requirement to contact the licensing authority. If not, you must contact the licensing authority to obtain a recommendation on the to the film(s) before you intend to show them.

Where a premises licence does not authorise the showing of a film, a minor variation can be applied for to add this to the licence for permanent authorisation, or alternatively, a Temporary Events Notice can be sent to the licensing authority if it is an one-off event.

For further information, please refer to the Film Classification Policy