Film classification

Where a licensed premises 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 the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

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 a Temporary Events Notice can be sent to the licensing authority if it is an ad-hoc event.

Either way, for more information regarding film classification, you would need to contact the BBFC. Please note that the Council no longer classifies films.

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 video and other visual image media, including non-live digital exhibitions of plays, operas, pop concerts, etc

Exemptions

The provision of entertainment consisting of the exhibition of a film is not to be regarded as the provision of regulated entertainment for the purposes of this Act if its sole or main purpose is to:

• (a) demonstrate any product,
• (b) advertise any goods or services, or
• (c) provide information, education or instruction.

The provision of entertainment consisting of the exhibition of a film is not to be regarded as the provision of regulated entertainment for the purposes of this Act if it consists of or forms part of an exhibit put on show for any purposes of a museum or art gallery.