Exemptions
The Motion Picture Act provides for some exemptions to its classification requirements.
Read the Motion Picture Act.
Read the Motion Picture Act Regulations.
Government of BC or Canada
The definition of “motion picture distributor” does not include the government of BC or Canada. Classification requirements do not apply if a motion picture is being screened under the auspices of the government of BC or Canada.
Read the Motion Picture Act, section 1 and section 2(6)(a).
Educational purposes
Universities, colleges or other educational institutions may be exempt from classification if they are showing a motion picture for educational purposes.
Read the Motion Picture Act, section 2(6)(b).
Read the Motion Picture Act Regulations, section 2.1.
Film society exemptions
Film societies may be exempt from classification if they meet certain criteria.
Read the Motion Picture Act, section 4.
To be exempt film societies must meet the following:
- a non-profit cultural organization registered with BC’s Corporate Registry
- a mandate to encourage and appreciate motion pictures as a medium of art, information or education
- screenings only to members who are at least 18 years of age
What’s the scope of our mandate?
We are responsible for classifying publicly exhibited pre-recorded motion pictures in BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. And we review Adult and Restricted DVDs distributed to retailers.
Promotional screenings advertised by word-of-mouth do fall within our mandate because they are open to the public.
Encore exhibitions of simultaneous broadcasts fall within our mandate because they are pre-recorded.
When requested, we provide classification of movies for Video-on-Demand, Pay-Per-View, and streaming/online, as well as general release DVDs.
