Classification Information

Regular Classifications

The Classification Board generally classifies all films screened in a cinema for a public audience. This is the process that gives films the classification rating that most people are familiar with:

G : General Viewing

No legal restrictions.

See a list of G rated films at MIFF

PG: Parental Guidance Recommended

No legal restrictions, but parents are encouraged to make a judgement call.

See a list of PG rated films at MIFF

M: Mature Audience Recommended

Not recommended for people below 15-years-old but no legal restrictions apply.

See a list of M rated films at MIFF

MA 15+: Mature Audiences Only

Not suitable for people below 15-years-old and people under 15 cannot legally attend unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

See a list of MA15+ rated films at MIFF

R 18+: Restricted to Adults

Not suitable for people below 18-years-old and people under 18 cannot legally attend even if with a parent or adult guardian.

See a list of R18+ rated films at MIFF

Festival classification exemptions

Due to the time taken to process a classification, the Classification Board recognises that it is not possible for a film festival such as MIFF to only screen films that have been officially classified. Therefore, special exemptions apply to festivals.

Unclassified 18+

The majority of films screening at MIFF are Unclassified 18+. This is not the same as an R18+ rating, but it acts in a similar way – nobody under 18 (including infants) can legally attend a session with this exemption, even with a parent or adult guardian. One of the key differences between R and Unclassified 18+ is that the content will not be as per an R movie- it is only that it hasn’t yet been classified as suitable for anyone other than an adult audience.

See the full list of Unclassified 18+ films.

Unclassified 15+

All of the films in our family friendly and schools program, Next Gen, either have a classification or have the exemption Unclassified 15+. As the exemption laws have changed this year, there are also many more films with this exemption. This is not the same as an MA 15+ rating, but it acts in the same way – nobody under 15 can legally attend such a session unless they are with a parent or adult guardian. In terms of content, the age range for these films varies. Please see the age recommendations that MIFF has listed on the film as guidance.

See the full list of Unclassified 15+ films.

Please note: All classifications and exemptions are age restrictions that are set by the Classification Board and MIFF must legally adhere to them.