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 in the following ways:

• 2D advertisements can be submitted on DVD or Blu-ray disc or on 35mm/digital format.
• 3D advertisements can be submitted on Stereoscopic 3D* Blu-ray disc or as a digital format.

*Please note ‘Anaglyph 3D’ submitted on DVD is not suitable for 3D classification as it does not accurately represent the 3D effect that will be present in the final theatrical version.

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.

Please note that you can now submit advertisements that are intended for DVD or Blu-ray release using an online submission form.  This is available through the BBFC extranet.

To take advantage of the online submission service please email the customer helpline at helpline@bbfc.co.uk. Further information can be found in our customer news item.

Filling in the submission form

Download:	Advert Submission Form
Version:	2.2
Updated:	February 21, 2011
Size:	398.91 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.

Extranet/Interim clearance and classification

If there are no issues the classification details should be accepted by the customer via the extranet or by signing and returning a copy of the Interim Clearance Form (ICF). In either case a final classification certificate will not be issued until the classification details have been accepted via the extranet or the ICF has been signed and returned.  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.