The BBFC technical department carries out pre-viewing assessments of all works submitted for Video Recordings Act classification.  Works can be submitted on DVD or Blu-ray disc.

The BBFC is required by law to keep an accurate record of all works we classify. DVDs and Blu-rays submitted for classification are kept as an official record in our archive and so all submissions must adhere to the following criteria:

• All submitted works must play on a DVD player or in the case of Blu-ray, a Bu-ray player or Sony Playstation 3.

• Digital video files (i.e. .avi, .mov, .mpg, etc) burnt to a DVD are not acceptable as they can only be read in a computer.

• Works can be submitted on DVD-R, DVD+R (single or dual layer), BD-R or replicated (factory pressed) check discs.

• • Where single layer DVDs are used, footage must be encoded at a high enough bit rate to ensure acceptable picture quality.

• • Dual layer DVDs have been noted to have a high degree of playback failure. Submitting long works split over multiple single layer DVDs may be preferable to avoid this issue.

• Other formats such as (but not limited to) video CD, DVD RW, mini DVD etc are not accepted.

• All video footage should be of release visual and audio quality.

• Submitted works should contain all video assets that you require classification certificates for unless such elements are considered exempt.  Click here for further details on exempt works.

• Submitted DVDs should be region 2 or region free (region 0). Both Pal or NTSC standards are accepted.

• Submitted Blu-ray discs should be region B.

• Temporary menus can be added if desired to allow easy navigation of the disc.

• The BBFC will classify everything contained on a disc submitted unless otherwise indicated under ‘ignore unlisted elements’ on page 2 of the submission form or via the Online Submissions Extranet service.

• The submitted footage must contain an on-screen title within the body of the work.  If the work does not include a title by design then a title slate or menu must be placed before the start of the work.
• For features (i.e. films, TV programmes etc) the work must be released in the exact same form with the title slate or menu in place. This title will form part of the ‘unique title’ which should be labelled on the disc at point of sale. Please see the Labelling Regulations for further details.
• In the case of DVD extras we also require a title (either a title within the body of the work or menu or title slate beforehand) however there is no requirement to include the same title slate or DVD menu on the release version.

• Discs submitted to the BBFC must be accompanied by a contents list and/or additional supporting material.

Any submission which fails any of the above quality control checks will be stopped until a suitable resubmission is received. This will inevitably cause delays to the classification of your work.

Contents Lists For DVD’s/Blu-ray

The submission form on the BBFC Extranet includes a section for detailing the elements contained on the disc.   The elements list must:

• Detail every element featured on the disc.

• Indicate which elements contain multiple angles, additional audio tracks (such as audio commentaries and foreign languages), subtitle tracks and other optional on screen graphic elements.

• Detail any software or DVD-ROM elements contained on a disc which are only accessible through a computer.

• Please note it is the submitting company’s responsibility to alert the BBFC to the presence of any ‘hidden’ elements such as those described above, or any ‘easter egg’ or similar features.

For any technical queries regarding DVD and Blu-ray submissions please contact the Technical Department on 0207 440 1592 or email etechnical@bbfc.co.uk.