Episodes
Comedian Henning Wehn discusses poll results and new BBFC ratings’ feature in an exclusive podcast takeover episode.
Published 02/09/23
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.
Published 10/25/22
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.
Published 10/12/22
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 episode may contain spoilers.
Published 05/06/22
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.
Published 12/20/21
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.
Published 08/18/21
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.
Published 05/18/21
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.
Published 03/07/21
In the last episode of 2020, we're joined by our Chief Executive David Austin and our Senior Policy Officer Matt 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.
Published 12/18/20
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 and Tamil language films in the UK.
Published 11/12/20
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 telling of Pinocchio.
Published 10/29/20
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.
Published 05/07/20
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 need, so you can sit and watch them either by yourself or with your family.
Published 04/23/20
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 the BBFC has changed over the years. The two also discuss the classification decisions for recent film releases such as Jojo Rabbit (2019) and...
Published 01/30/20
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 Christmas Carol (2009) we talk about the classification and history of each film, and give you some discussion points and lesson...
Published 12/13/19
“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.
Published 11/15/19
“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).
Published 11/14/19
“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 discussing classification issues such as discrimination, humour and threat.
Published 11/13/19
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) to threat in Goosebumps (2015) and Lion (2016).
Published 11/12/19
“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).
Published 11/11/19
'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.
Published 07/18/19