| Divisions - Film Sub-Division
Functions
The functions of the Film Section are:
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To examine films for public exhibition
and to classify them into one of the following categories
:
| Category I |
- |
Suitable for All Ages |
| Category IIA |
- |
Not Suitable for Children |
| Category IIB |
- |
Not Suitable for Young Persons
and Children |
| Category III |
- |
Persons Aged 18 and Above
Only |
|
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(Category IIA and IIB are advisory in
nature but the age restriction for Category III films
is strictly and legally enforced).
Search
for films classified by the Film Censorship Authority
(films intended for commercial release only)
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| To examine
films exempted from classification. |
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| To examine
packagings of Category III videotapes and laserdiscs;
and advertising materials of Category III films.
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To verify videotapes and laserdiscs of
classified films for publication are the same as the approved
versions. |
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To inspect cinemas to enforce the age
restriction for audience admission to Category III films.
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| To inspect
video shops and other retail outlets to regulate
the publication of film in the form of videotapes
and laserdiscs.
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To serve a public advisory panel to
allow public participation in the film classification
process. |
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| Film censorship requirements
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| Films intended for
public exhibition have to be approved by the Film
Censorship Authority (FCA) who is the Commissioner
for Television and Entertainment Licensing. They
are either classified under a 3-tier classification
system or exempted from classification (examples
: educational, cultural, religious, promotional
films). |
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In classifying a film, the
film censor has to consider whether the film portrays,
depicts or treats cruelty, torture, violence, crime, horror,
disability, sexuality or indecent or offensive language
or behaviour. Guidelines for censors  (To
view the document, you need Adobe
Acrobat Reader and Asian
Font Pack .) are published for information of
the trade and members of the public. |
| To ensure that our film classification
standards are in line with the community standards, we
conduct regular surveys of community views and consult
the statutory panel of advisers. The panel comprises above
250 members drawn from a wide cross-section of the community.
These advisers give their views to the film censors on
the appropriate classification of a film.
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| We implement the film classification
system in an objective manner. The censors' decision on
film classification could be reviewed by a statutory body
: the Board of Review (Film Censorship) established under
the Film
Censorship Ordinance. The Board comprises nine non-official
members and an ex-officio member who is the Secretary
for Commerce, Industry and Technology. |
The FCO also provides examination
of packagings of Category III video/laserdisc and Category
III advertising materials. Advertising materials relating
to Category III films must be approved by the FCA before
they can be displayed in public.
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| Use
of language in films
Regarding the concern of the film industry
and the community about whether there has been a change
of policy in the use of language in films, the response
of this department is as follows:
- The film classification standards may change with
times. At present, the classification of a film must
take into consideration the theme and its depiction
as a whole. The classification of a film will not
be determined by just a few dialogues, but whether
the language used is contextually justified, and whether
it would cause offence to viewers.
- The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
(TELA) will make reference to the public's views in
determining the classification of a film. Under the
"Film Censorship Ordinance" (Cap. 392), TELA has established
a panel of advisers comprising more than 200 people.
The members come from all walks of life, representing
people of different sex, age and background in the
community. They participate in the film censorship
process, and provide opinions on the film classification
and censorship standards to the censors.
- There is no change of film classification policy.
In principle, the censor must take into consideration
the effect and the impact of a film on its viewers.
Each film must be examined and classified on its own
merits. The classifications of all commercial films
are uploaded to TELA's official website at www.tela.gov.hk.
The television and film industry and all members of
the public are welcome to visit the website.
Overall speaking, the impact of the
film on the viewers is the major factor determining
the classification of a film. Excessive use and intensity
of coarse language may affect the classification of
a film. |
