French film and TV ratings: CNC and Arcom
French cinema classification and television warnings are separate. The cinema system includes an optional avertissement, an extra warning that can accompany an age category.
Scope: French cinema classifications and television age warnings
Cinema classifications
| Rating | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tous publics | All audiences |
| Moins de 12 ans | Under 12 not admitted |
| Moins de 16 ans | Under 16 not admitted |
| Moins de 18 ans | Under 18 not admitted |
| Avertissement | Additional content warning, not a new age category |
Who decides the cinema classification?
The classification commission advises the culture minister, who makes the decision. Published reasons for restrictions help explain the content concerns; the age number alone does not identify a particular sex or violence scene.
Source: CNC: classification des filmsWhy does French TV show -10?
Television uses its own youth-warning scale: all audiences, -10, -12, -16 and -18. The minus sign warns about viewers below that age. It is not a cinema 10+ category.
Source: Arcom: la création de la signalétique jeunesseOfficial sources
Sources checked:
- CNC: visas et classification
Cinema categories, warnings and decision process
- Arcom: la création de la signalétique jeunesse
Television’s separate age-warning system
- CNC: classification des films
Cinema age categories and ministerial decision