In this special Bonus Material episode, BBFC President Natasha Kaplinsky spends some time with Director Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Producer Duncan Kenworthy (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill) to find out the stories behind these classic films. Who was almost cast in Fou…

What's your favourite festive flick? In this episode, BBFC staff share their personal favourite Christmas films including family-friendly classics like Elf and Home Alone, controversial picks like Die Hard (is it really a Christmas film?) and ones just for the adults such as Black Christmas. Whatever you choose to watch, we hope you find some inspi…

In the latest episode of the BBFC Podcast, join BBFC Youth Panel members Rumaisa and William as they take a look back at cinema in 2024. Together they discuss some of their favourite 2024 releases, including Deadpool Vs Wolverine, I Saw The TV Glow and The Fall Guy.Av BBFC

We're delighted to announce the winner of this year's Create The Card Competition. In partnership with Paramount Pictures UK, we called on creative and artistic young minds aged 4-11 across the UK, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design the official Black Card for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.In this episode, hear directly from our brilli…

In this episode of the BBFC podcast, Tash sits down with BBFC Compliance Office Ian to travel back to the magical land of Oz and chat all things Wicked. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, here's everything you need to know about the film before you head to the cinema.Av BBFC

Ridley Scott's epic return to ancient Rome is in cinemas now! Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen, we rated Gladiator II 15 for strong bloody violence, injury detail. In this episode, sit down with Tash as she chats to BBFC Compliance Manager Chris to find out everything you need to know about the film before yo…

In the latest episode of the BBFC Podcast, sit down with Matt and Tash as they talk through the latest Halloween horrors out in cinemas, as well as some classic scary movies from family-friendly Goosebumps to gruesome horrors such as The Exorcist. Can Matt convince scaredy-cat Tash to watch a film or two?…

Venom and Eddie Brock return this autumn in Venom: The Last Dance. Before you head to the cinema, you can find out everything you need to know about the film, and who it’s suitable for, in this bitesize episode.Av BBFC

In the latest episode of the BBFC Podcast, BBFC CEO David Austin sits down with his American counterpart, Kelly Mahon, at the Motion Picture Association.Kelly is the Executive Vice President and Chair of the Classification and Rating Administration for the Motion Picture Association, or MPA for short. The MPA is an American trade association that a…

Wondering whether this crime drama sequel is suitable for older teens? Find out what to expect before you head to the cinema, including a break down of the age rating for Joker: Folie à Deux alongside our content advice and the key issues in the film.Av BBFC

Ever wondered how the BBFC classifies sex on screen? What's acceptable, what's not, and how do we decide?In this episode, Senior Compliance and Education Officer Wallis is joined by the BBFC's Chief Executive, David Austin. Very special guest, Rowan Pelling, editor of Perspective and writer for the Daily Telegraph, Independent and former editor of …

In the latest episode of the BBFC podcast, join two of our team members as they discuss the process of reclassifying classic horror films against our current Classification Guidelines. Also, hear what it takes for a horror movie to be classified 18 in 2024!Av BBFC

Hear directly from two members of our Compliance team, Chris and Wallis, as they chat about how we undertook our biggest research project to date.In this special episode, the pair dive into how our research findings have directly shaped our new guidelines, with key discussion areas including violence, sex, drugs, and language, alongside an overview…

A brand new episode of the BBFC Podcast is out today and it is another special Youth Panel takeover!In the final episode of our two-part mini-series, our Youth Panel explore some classic coming-of-age films that shaped their growing up experience. Some of these include Billy Elliot, She's the Man, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and more.…

The latest episode of the BBFC Podcast is out now, and this time with a special takeover episode from our brilliant Youth Panel!In episode one of this two-part mini-series, our Youth Panel dives into some classic coming-of-age films through the decades, and how they feel about them now. We're talking Mean Girls, Ferris Buller's Day Off, Grease, Clu…

Comedian Henning Wehn discusses poll results and new BBFC ratings’ feature in an exclusive podcast takeover episode.Av BBFC

In this episode, our BBFC Youth Panel chat about scary movie moments that frightened them the most when they were young.From Toy Story 3 to Coraline, find out what family films from the noughties kept Gen Z up at night.Av BBFC

In this episode, we speak to Col Needham, the CEO of IMDb, about the origins and evolution of the much-loved Internet Movie Database website, most commonly known as IMDb.Av BBFC

In this episode, we talk about the shifting tone of superhero films and shine a light on the darker side of the Marvel, Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel and DC Comics universes. We'll be discussing recent releases such as The Batman, Morbius and Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness and how we classified them.Please be advised that this episo…

In this episode, our Compliance Managers alongside special guest Lord Kamlesh Patel, BBFC Vice President, take a deep dive into our latest research findings on racism and discrimination, and talk about the tangible changes we are taking when it comes to classifying these issues in both older and modern content.…

In this episode, we speak to director Prano Bailey-Bond about her debut feature film Censor, its inspiration & the 'video nasties' era.Listeners can find out insider knowledge about Prano and her co-writer Anthony Fletcher’s research visits to the BBFC, the film's classification and the horror directors that inspired her.…

In this episode, we celebrate the return of cinema in England, Scotland & Wales and discuss all the latest family-friendly releases that are coming to the big screen including Cruella, Peter Rabbit 2, Godzilla Vs. Kong and Nomadland.Av BBFC

This International Women's Day we're celebrating all the talented and wonderful women who work at the BBFC. In this podcast, you can learn more about the inner workings of the BBFC and hear all about how women keep the wheels turning - in Compliance, Education, Finance and Communications - we talk to women from all corners of our business.…

In the last episode of 2020, we're joined by our Chief Executive David Austin as we take a look back on a year of film. We talk about some of the biggest releases, streaming platforms and the impact of COVID on the industry.Av BBFC

As part of our Indian cinema and Bollywood takeover week, we've invited the BBC’s Ashanti Omkar FRSA to talk to us all about films that families can watch this Diwali. In the podcast, you can hear about the classification of films such as Panga, Taare Zammen Par and Kaaka Muttai at the U and PG category and find out about how the BBFC rates Hindi a…

Halloween might look a little different for most of us this year - so we're here to help you throw a spook-tacular movie night to celebrate! Our latest podcast is all about horror... at the PG category. We delve into classics, like The Witches, that have been frightening children for decades, as well as recent films like Scoob! and the latest telli…

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, this podcast is all about how we classify WWII films. We talk in detail about films such as Saving Private Ryan & Dunkirk and tell you all about how you can use films to explore the impact of the war with your family.Av BBFC

What do Trolls World Tour, Bloodshot and The Invisible Man have in common? They’ve all been released to streaming services early so that you can watch them from the comfort of your own home during lockdown.Want to know more? Listen to this podcast, which takes you through some of these releases and gives you all of the classification knowledge you …

To mark our 100th podcast, we have teamed up with film critic, journalist and host of BBC’s Kermode and Mayo's Film Review, Mark Kermode, for a very special episode.So sit back and enjoy an open discussion between Mark and the BBFC’s Head of Compliance, Craig Lapper - as they delve into Mark’s relationship with film classification and discuss how t…

Teachers, are you looking forward to your last week of term? Together with our friends at Into Film, we've produced a podcast and some lesson plans with some ideas about how you can watch the beloved festive tale A Christmas Carol with your class. Whether you're a fan of Scrooge (1951), the Muppet's Christmas Carol (1992), or Jim Carey's A Christma…

“The 18 replaced the X in 1982, which in turn absorbed the H which stood for ‘horrific’ in 1951.”In the last episode of our mini series, we look at the history of the 18 category and its key classification issues. From ‘H’ films being restricted during WW2 to the 18 as it is today.Av BBFC

“More films are rated 15 today than at any other category.”In 1982 15 replaced the AA category and the category system as we know it today was created. What was different about the AA and why did it change? In the 15 podcast, we discuss exactly this and compare older 15s such as Poltergeist (1982) with more recent releases such as Hereditary (2018)…

“The 12 was introduced, on film only, in 1989 to cover the large gulf between PG and 15.”Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985) and Ghostbusters (1984) all have something in common, and it isn’t that they all start with G. All of these films were rated 12 or 12A. In this podcast, we discuss both categories and the wide range of audience they capture d…

Introduced in 1982, the PG replaced the old A classification that had existed since 1913.”In this episode, join us as we discuss the PG category. Find out why it was established and how best parents and families can navigate PG films. We also talk about a wide array of classification issues, from violence in films such as Horrible Histories (2019) …

“The U category is the only classification to survive from the inception of the BBFC to now.”In the first of our mini series, we discuss the U category, how it has changed over the years and how we address historically classified U films such as Watership Down (1978) and Disney classics such as The Lion King (1994).…

'I'll have what she's having'Rom Coms have given us some of the most memorable lines in cinematic history over the years. Whats your favourite? This podcast, we discuss some of the greats - When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill and It Happened One Night - and give you some insight into the classifications of each film.…

With exam season upon us, we have released a podcast to support students, teachers and parents in the lead up to this years media studies exams.Av BBFC

Wonder Woman. Hermione Granger. Moana. Elsa and Ana. Katnis. Gwen Stacy.What do all these wonderful women have in common? They all feature in our #InternationalWomensDay podcast celebrating women in film! Billie is joined by our Head of Education, Lucy, and compliance officer Ben talking about the best female led films to watch with your kids.…

How does classification fit in to the ever changing way in which we consume content? We discussed this, and a number of other topics, with industry experts at the launch of our Classification Guidelines. You can listen to the whole discussion here.Av BBFC

In this episode Billie speaks to Ed, our Operations Manager and Preet a member of our compliance team about all things Oscars. The team discuss the 2019 nominations, as well as nominations of the past.Av BBFC

In this episode Billie is joined by Sarah and Ben from the BBFC compliance team to talk through a bumper pack of Christmas favourites, that are great to watch over the festive period. As well as making some special recommendations of their own.Av BBFC

In this episode we speak to Keith Lodwick the curator of Censored! Stage, Screen, Society at 50 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, a display which the BBFC contributed to in 2018. The podcast covers some of the iconic films highlighted in the exhibition, the BBFC archive and much more.Av BBFC

In this episode we discuss the classification of John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic, Halloween. As well as comparing the original to the classification of the newest Halloween directed by David Gordon Green, released in 2018. And as a treat (rather than a trick!), Billie also asks her guest what he will be watching this Halloween. Sound effects c…

In this episode we look at how films are re-rated when they're sent in to the BBFC for a second time. We also speak about Heathers the 1988 Michael Lehmann film.Av BBFC

This episode is the first of our new BBFC Education Specials. Billie is joined by Lucy Brett, BBFC Head of Education and Matt Lane CEO and Artistic Director of Eastside Educational Trust. Eastside is a highly acclaimed arts education charity and one of London's leading youth arts provider. We are delighted to have supported Eastside as part of our …

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we talk about Bollywood movies, in Particular Baahubali 2 and Sholay.Av BBFC

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we discuss Wonder Woman & Avengers Infinity War.Av BBFC

In this episode we discuss two 15 rated coming of age films, Boyhood (2014) and Lady Bird (2017)Av BBFC

In this episode we discuss age rating sex references at the 15 category in episodes of She's Gotta Have It (2017-present) and Girls (2012-2017)Av BBFC

In this episode of our podcast we discuss threat at the lower classification level referencing adventure feature films BFG (2016) and Paddington (2014), both classified at PG.Av BBFC