Screening unclassified films
In view of the increasing number of independent screenings of features and short films in the ACT, ScreenACT feels it is important that the ACT film community is aware of the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) requirements for public screenings.
Screening unclassified films in a public place is generally illegal under State and Territory classification enforcement legislation. Each State and Territory has classification enforcement legislation to complement the Commonwealth Classification Act. The enforcement legislation sets out how films, publications and computer games can be sold, hired, exhibited, advertised and demonstrated in each State or Territory. In the ACT, the relevant legislation is the: Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995. The relevant provisions of the Act are section 55, subsections 6(1) and 45(1) and sections 7, 9 and 24.
If you want to screen unclassified features or short films as part of a film festival or special event, the Director of the OFLC may grant an exemption. This means that the relevant parts of the legislation mentioned above will not apply, but only in relation to the dates, venue and film titles specified in the application that has received an exemption. An OFLC exemption does not offer carte blanche to continue screening a film indefinitely.
Information about exemptions and how to apply can be obtained from the OFLC’s website under the heading: Film Festivals: What are the classification requirements.
If any part of the relevant legislation applies to your proposed screenings you need to consider the information provided by the OFLC on this webpage, and contact the OFLC Exemptions Officer with any queries, well before starting to advertise or call for competition entries. The service standard time for processing requests for exemption is 20 working days and organisers should take this timeframe into account when planning an event.
You should also bear in mind that an exemption from classification for the purposes of film festivals or events is generally issued under an 18+ age condition - you must have a significant reason for the Director to consider allowing lowered age conditions (the mere fact that the films may be suitable for an audience that includes children is not sufficient). This is especially important to remember if you are calling for competition entries for films you wish to screen to an audience that includes minors. Festival organisers are strongly urged to contact the OFLC to discuss any request for varying age conditions and should not assume that the Director will approve such requests.
For further information, visit the OFLC website: www.oflc.gov.au or contact the Exemptions Officer at: oflcswitch@oflc.gov.au (marked “Attention: Exemptions Officer”).
Screening unclassified films in a public place is generally illegal under State and Territory classification enforcement legislation. Each State and Territory has classification enforcement legislation to complement the Commonwealth Classification Act. The enforcement legislation sets out how films, publications and computer games can be sold, hired, exhibited, advertised and demonstrated in each State or Territory. In the ACT, the relevant legislation is the: Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995. The relevant provisions of the Act are section 55, subsections 6(1) and 45(1) and sections 7, 9 and 24.
If you want to screen unclassified features or short films as part of a film festival or special event, the Director of the OFLC may grant an exemption. This means that the relevant parts of the legislation mentioned above will not apply, but only in relation to the dates, venue and film titles specified in the application that has received an exemption. An OFLC exemption does not offer carte blanche to continue screening a film indefinitely.
Information about exemptions and how to apply can be obtained from the OFLC’s website under the heading: Film Festivals: What are the classification requirements.
If any part of the relevant legislation applies to your proposed screenings you need to consider the information provided by the OFLC on this webpage, and contact the OFLC Exemptions Officer with any queries, well before starting to advertise or call for competition entries. The service standard time for processing requests for exemption is 20 working days and organisers should take this timeframe into account when planning an event.
You should also bear in mind that an exemption from classification for the purposes of film festivals or events is generally issued under an 18+ age condition - you must have a significant reason for the Director to consider allowing lowered age conditions (the mere fact that the films may be suitable for an audience that includes children is not sufficient). This is especially important to remember if you are calling for competition entries for films you wish to screen to an audience that includes minors. Festival organisers are strongly urged to contact the OFLC to discuss any request for varying age conditions and should not assume that the Director will approve such requests.
For further information, visit the OFLC website: www.oflc.gov.au or contact the Exemptions Officer at: oflcswitch@oflc.gov.au (marked “Attention: Exemptions Officer”).
posted by ScreenACT at 12:06 PM
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