Be the first to comment!New film age-classification has now come into force
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A new film age-classification has come into force, following the Film Age-Classification Board approval of the amendments.
Grades ’14’ and ’16’ have now been removed with the introduction of new classification grades of 12A and 15. The ‘PG’ certificate has a new definition.
The new age-classification categories are as follows:
(i) ‘U’ – UNIVERSAL. Suitable for all.
(ii) ‘PG’ – PARENTAL GUIDANCE. General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
(iii) ’12A’ – Suitable for persons of 12 years and over: Provided that persons younger than 12 years may attend only when accompanied by an adult.
(iv) ’12’ – Suitable only for persons of twelve years and over.
(v) ’15’ – Suitable for persons of fifteen years and over.
(vi) ’18’ – Suitable only for persons of eighteen years and over.
The age-classification certificate and notices to the public containing additional information are to be exhibited in a prominent place at the entrance of the premises and may also be communicated to the public by any other means.
The new Board for Film Age-Classification, will in the future, be publishing a classification guide for each film which should help the public to make an informed decision when choosing which film to see.
Any change as a result of the provision of the Legal Notice is that when a person who has applied for the examination of the film may, if he feels aggrieved by the decision of the Film Age-Classification Board, within five days of receiving said decision, apply in writing to the Classification Review Board for a review of such decision.
The Review Board may confirm or reverse the decision of the Film Age-Classification Board. Until now, when a film distributor disagreed with the Film Age-Classification Board, the distributor had to submit an appeal to the same Board.
Film classification is now no longer under the Police Laws but under the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts Act.
The new Board was appointed by the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Government José Herrera. Chaired by Mario A. Azzopardi, the board also included Dr Roberta Attard, Victor Bonello, Alfred Briffa, Dr Katya De Giovanni, Dominic Garcia, Marion Grech and Pia Micallef.
