204th BBFC Board of Classification Meeting

The scene was viewed again by the President and Chief Executive who concluded that the scene includes a potentially indecent image of a child within the meaning of the Protection of Children Act 1978. [...] However, it was concluded that the fact the film makers did not intend to create an indecent image does not alter the fact of the indecency of the image in question. [...] Sections of the submission were viewed by the Chief Executive, the Head of DEA, the Head of Compliance and the Compliance Manager. [...] It was concluded that the submission is not in violation of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 but that the scenes showing the children engaged in sexual activity, or otherwise being sexualised, are in violation of the 'harm' provisions of the Video Recordings Act 1984 and the BBFC's Guidelines which prohibit portrayals of children in sexualised or abusive contexts. [...] The meeting discussed the changes that will be required to the Classification Guidelines in the light of these findings.