The BBFC (Also known as British Board of Film Classification) and was originally named 'British Board of Film Censors'. It is a non-governmental organisation which are being funded by film industries and are the reason for classification and censorship of films within the UK. It's requirements are to classify videos, DVD's, and some video games that are under the Video Recording Act 2010.BBFC started in 1912, known as British Board Of Film Censors by members of the film industry as an independent organisation to bring some consistency to the classification of film nationality, the film remains with the local councils that could overrule the BBFC's decisions allowing the films they reject, not allowing those it passes, it began operating on 1st January 1913. The legal basis was the Cinematograph Act 1909, this was so that cinemas had to have the right licences from local authorities. This was introduced for safety reason since a number of nirate film fires in unsuitable venues, later it said that the criteria for granting or declining a licence didn't need to be declined to health and safety. Providing that the law allowed councils to accept or deny licences to cinemas according to the content of the films they showed the 1909 Act to be enabled for the introduction of censorship.Whilst the warners gangter films and other 1930's Hollywood films that were dealing with the crimes and the effects of the Great Depression were released in the United Kingdom highly uncut. These were strictly off-limits for British film-makers.During WWII, the British Board of Film Classifications political censorship function was handed over to the Film Division of the Ministry of Information, the BBFC never got it back to the same level as before.In 1984 they changed their name to "reflect the fact that classification plays a far larger part in the Board's work than censorship". It was given responsibility for classifying videos by hire or buy to view as well as being shown in cinemas. Home video and the cinema versions of a film tend to receive the same certificate, a film may sometimes be given a more restrictive certificate for the home video market mostly due to the bonus features, as it is easier for children to watch a video at home than to go to the cinema.In December 1986 the first computer game to be certified by the BBFC was an illustrated text adventure called 'Dracula' received an 15 certificate. The first computer game to get an 18 certificate was on the 11th January 1987 which was another illustrated text adventure 'Jack The Ripper'. If the game publishers reprinted the text in book form, it would not have needed a certificate as the BBFC don't have an overview to print media. Both have had several stickers all on the front tomake it clear they weren't for children as computer games with the BBFC certificates were unknown.The first video game to be denied classification by the BBFC was Carmageddan (1997) a later version of the game was then given an 18 certificate.The BBFC is a not for profit organisation, it's fees are set to only cover it's own costs. In order to maintain its independence, the BBFC don't take anything from the film industry or government. Their income are only from that which it charges for services, by working out the total running time of films/DVD's submitted for classification. The BBFC discuss the department of Culture, Media and Sport before making any charges to its fees.In 1984 Parliament had passed Video Recordings Act. This was subject to certain exemptions, offered for sale or hire in the UK has to be classified by an authority made by the Secretary of State. President and VP of the BBFC were designated and charged with using the test of 'suitability for viewing in the home'. The title was to change to the British Board of Film Classification to show the fact that the classification does play a large part in the BBFC's work and its censorship.
These are the certificates:
This represents that it is suitable for all ages.
Parental Guidance is intended.
This certificate is only used in the cinema, for those who 12 years and over.
When on Video/DVD this is displayed, just like a 12A, it represents 12 and over.
For 15 years and over.
For 18 years of age and over.
For adult works for licensed premises only.
The animated film, 'Coraline', has been given the age rating PG (Parental Guidance), as in the film, there are some scary moments and tense scenes. As it is a little to the horror genre.
This represents that it is suitable for all ages. Parental Guidance is intended. 
This certificate is only used in the cinema, for those who 12 years and over.
When on Video/DVD this is displayed, just like a 12A, it represents 12 and over.
For 15 years and over.
For 18 years of age and over. 
For adult works for licensed premises only. The animated film, 'Coraline', has been given the age rating PG (Parental Guidance), as in the film, there are some scary moments and tense scenes. As it is a little to the horror genre.
