Exhibition of films and film classification

If you wish to exhibit a film within East Suffolk, you may require a classification from the Licensing Authority (East Suffolk Council).

Schedule 1 of the Licensing Act 2003 (the Act) sets out what activities are regarded as the provision of regulated entertainment. The description of entertainment activities licensable under the Act include the exhibition of film. To be licensable, an activity needs to be provided for the purpose of entertaining an audience; has to be held on premises made available for the purpose of enabling that activity; and must also either:

  • take place in the presence of a public audience, or
  • where that activity takes place in private, be the subject of a charge made with a view to profit. 

If you are a film maker or promoter and no certificate for the film has been issued by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), you can apply to us for a classification.

If a film has not been classified by the BBFC, it must not be shown in public until the Council has classified it. A typical example of this would be a locally made film to be shown at a local film festival. 

The Licensing Act 2003 also provides for a number of exemptions for certain types of film. This includes those exhibited for the purposes of advertisement, information, education, or similar.

If the premises and/or exhibition of a film is not regulated by the Licensing Act 2003, it may still be necessary to comply with the recommendations issued by the BBFC or Licensing Authority. This includes classification and the admission of children to view the film in community premises.

We can only guarantee a film will be classified in time for it to be exhibited if the request is received at least 28 days before the date of a film screening. 

Regulated entertainment

In addition to having your film classified, please be aware that you may also require a licence. Under the Licensing Act 2003 the showing of a film is classified as 'regulated entertainment'.

Venues which hold a premises licence may be able to show films. If there is no premises licence in place or the licence does not authorise regulated entertainment, you may need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice.