New film classification guidelines for Ireland announced

RTÉ News​

06-06-2025

The Irish Film Classification Office has published its revised and updated Classification Guidelines, with changes in how depictions of drugs, bullying, self-harm, and anti-social behaviour are classified.
The IFCO, which is marking its centenary this year, classifies audio visual content for cinema release and home entertainment content sold in Ireland.
According to the office, "the publication of the new Guidelines represents a key milestone in IFCO's commitment to transparency and public engagement in film classification."
The new revised guidelines were produced following a comprehensive public consultation process and independent research conducted by IFCO and Behaviour & Attitudes in 2023.
The IFCO has also published a "plain English" version of the classification guidelines commissioned from the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
Speaking about the new guidelines, Director of Film Classification Dr Ciarán Kissane said, "The publication of our revised Classification Guidelines marks a key milestone for IFCO.
"By expanding the drugs category to include harmful behaviour, we are responding directly to the research published in 2023 and stakeholder feedback during our public consultation.
"The new Classification Guidelines reflect our ongoing commitment to ensure our classifications remain relevant and reflect current community standards."
"We are particularly proud to introduce a Plain English version of the Guidelines, developed in partnership with NALA.
"It is important to us that our Classification Guidelines are accessible and easy to read for all, keeping in mind the younger audiences. By doing this, we hope to increase public understanding of IFCO's work and improve media literacy."
In a statement, the office said, "The publication of the new revised Guidelines fulfils a key commitment set out in IFCO's Strategy Statement 2023 to 2025, underscoring the Office's dedication to providing trusted and timely classification and advice and evolving its practices in line with research, public engagement, and societal expectations".
To mark the centenary of the IFCO, a new documentary entitled In the Opinion of the Censor, was screened at the Irish Film Institute last May, with an address from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD.
Narrated and presented by John Kelleher, Ireland's last Film Censor and first Director of Film Classification, the documentary examines the history of Irish film censorship.
Drawing on contributions from historians, filmmakers, movie archivists, and media commentators, In the Opinion of the Censor sheds light on how the evolution of censorship closely mirrored changes in Irish society over the past century.
Directed by Andrew Gallimore and Lydia Monin, film blends rare archival footage - drawing on the IFCO material donated to the National Archives in 2023, expert interviews, and scenes from censored films.
Speaking at the film's debut screening, Jim O'Callaghan said, "Since its establishment, IFCO has undergone significant transformation, evolving from a body once focused heavily on censorship to one now centred on classification.
"It has now been more than 20 years since a film has been censored or refused a certification for the Irish cinema audience and that is a clear demonstration of a positive and welcome shift of approach."
"I want to pay tribute to Dr Ciaran Kissane and his predecessors, Mr Sheamus Smith and Mr John Kelleher, for their progressive leadership of IFCO. I have no doubt the office will continue to evolve along with Irish society."
Dr Kissane, said, "In the Opinion of the Censor gives us an interesting look into the history of how film censorship has transitioned into classification. At IFCO, we are committed to providing trusted guidance and advice, that supports the availability of a diverse range of audio-visual content to the appropriate audiences.
"For the past two years, the majority of our classifications have been in the advisory category. Our classification and accompanying consumer advice helps audiences make informed decisions on what audio visual content they - and their children - watch."