The Film & Video Labelling Body

All films supplied to the public must be submitted to the Labelling Body.

 

The Labelling Body:

• Rates unrestricted films

• Cross-rates unrestricted films that have been rated in Australia or the UK

• Issues labels that must be displayed on films before they are supplied to the public

 

Labels can only be displayed on films once they have been rated or classified.

 

How the Labelling Body rates films

 

The Labelling Body can rate a film and issue a label if:

• The film has previously been rated or classified in NZ.

• The film has been given a rating in Australia of G, PG or M

• The film has been given a rating in the UK of U, PG, 12 or 12A

• On viewing the film, the Labelling Body assesses the content as being unrestricted

 

The Labelling Body will submit a film to the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) if:

• The film has been classified as MA15 or higher in Australia

• The film has been classified as 15 or higher in the UK

• The film has been refused approval for supply or exhibition in Australia or the UK

• On viewing the film, the Labelling Body assesses the content as being restricted

 

The Labelling Body acts as the agent for distributors when films are submitted to the OFLC.

The flowchart illustrates the process that the Labelling Body is required to follow: 

 

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC)

 

The OFLC is responsible for classifying all films submitted to it. 

 

Films can be submitted to the OFLC by: 

• The Film and Video Labelling Body 

• The Censorship Compliance Unit of the Department of Internal Affairs

• New Zealand Customs

• New Zealand Police

• A member of the public (with leave from the Chief Censor) 

 

The OFLC can ban or restrict the availability of a film, impose display conditions on a restricted publication or assign an unrestricted rating. Restrictions imposed by the OFLC are legally enforceable.

For further information on the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 and the functions of the Office of Film and Literature Classificaiton, please consult their website www.classificationoffice.govt.nz