An advert can be submitted for either theatrical classification or for DVD/Blu-ray classification. Please go to the relevant section below for details of the process of getting an advertisement classified.

Theatrical advertisement

All theatrical advertisements, regardless of time duration, will need to be submitted for classification. The only exception is if the advert has been previously transmitted on terrestrial or satellite TV, is less than 28 video seconds in duration and which does not advertise alcohol.

Adverts shown theatrically must display the symbol of the category awarded for a minimum of five seconds, before the work begins, or burnt into the bottom left or right corner of the frame itself.

The BBFC can accept theatrical advertisements two ways – either on a DVD/Blu-ray disc or on a 35mm/digital format. Submissions that are made on a 35mm/digital format must be booked in advance with the BBFC. Please contact the Information Services department via the customer helpline on 020 7440 0299 to make your booking.

The version submitted to the BBFC for examination must be the exact, finished version intended for release and the media item must contain only and exactly the advertisement to be examined.

All advertisements must be sent in accompanied by an advert submission form and payment.  If the advertisement is being submitted on a digital format it will need to arrive by 12pm the working day before it is due to be viewed. 35mm prints must arrive by 5pm the working day before.

DVD/Blu-ray advertisements

Advertisements that are being released on DVD/Blu-ray will need to be submitted for classification.

The BBFC can only accept advertisements on DVD or Blu-ray. The copy submitted must be the exact, finished version intended for release and must be accompanied by an advertisement submission form and payment. As part of our statutory duty under the Video Recordings Act we are required to retain a copy of the original work as submitted to us.

Customers submitting for the first time must supply specimen signatures from all persons authorised to accept the BBFC’s proposed category for the work. These must be supplied on company letterhead at the time of the first submission. See example below.

I ………. being a Director of ………. confirm that the under mentioned duly authorised signature(s) is/are entitled to accept a statutory classification and waive appeal rights on behalf of the above named company under the Video Recordings Act, 1984.

Sample signature ………………………..
Name (in block capitals) ………………..
Sample signature ………………………..
Name (in block capitals) ………………..

Filling in the submission form

Download:	Advert Submission Form
Version:	2.1
Updated:	July 15, 2010
Size:	119.32 KB

Customers who submit works on a regular basis should ensure that the company name and account number are correctly entered on the submission form. If a company has more than one division the correct division name and account number must be entered on the form. In the case of a new customer, an account number will be created with the first submission.

The title of the work on the submission form must be correct because this becomes the ‘formal’ title for classification purposes.

It is important that the DVD/Blu-ray advert box (within type of advert) on the submission form is filled out correctly. Failure to do so can result in a delay in the classification process.

Interim clearance and classification

Once the advertisement has been examined and approved, an Interim Clearance Form (ICF) will be issued. If there are no issues the ICF should be signed by the company-authorised signatory and returned to confirm acceptance of the category. For customers with access to the extranet the category can be accepted online by a company-authorised signatory registered to do so. In either case a final classification certificate will not be issued until the ICF has been received by the BBFC. A work may not be legally sold in the UK until the final classification certificate has been issued. Approval by the BBFC is not sufficient. The ICF does not act as a final classification certificate.