BBFC - British Board of Film Classification

Definition of a childrens film 'no special effort is made to make the film appeal to different audiences.' 


Children = Under the age of 12. Teenagers have different interests.

U Certificate = Universal -> Suitable for all all over the age of 5.
+ FIlm must have a positive moral frame work. 
+ Offer reassuring counter balances to any threat/horror.
+ Suitable for children to view alone.
+ No bad language or discrimination.
+ No drugs
+ No emphasis on real or accessible weapons
+ No sexual content - Only Love

PG = Parental Guidance = Suitable for 8+. Parents decide if their kids can handle it. They have to consider if it's suitable. 

+ Discrimination - But only for educational purposes. 
+ Drugs must carry on anti drug message. 
+ Horror - Short but not intense.
+ More grown up themes, e.g. Domestic violence - strongly portrayed as negative. 


However despite this there are still many controversial films for example:


In Babe it features a dog being hung. And then in water ship down there are lots of death + violence - but it's a U certificate and lots of dark colours are used.