Film distributors chastise Classification Board

KRS Film Distributors have lodged a complaint through the Ombudsman regarding the operation of the Film and Stage Classification Board (previously The Film and Stage Censorship Board).

The Ombudsman's recommendations - released to the media today - call on government to publish guidelines relevant to film and stage classification and also suggest that the Board publish a report each time they award an age rating to a film.

It also claims that the motivation behind all age ratings be made clear and that it be released to the public, and that persons appointed to the Board should be fully knowledgeable of the field in question, and that they "broadly represent the Maltese community".

The complaint, which was lodged before amendments were made to film and theatre classification last month, explains that prior to 2006 - "following a disagreement that occurred between the Board and the company over the rating of a film" - the Board would consult with the distributor whenever a rating was awarded, and a discussion would take place whenever there was any disagreement on a particular rating. KRS claims that such room for discussion has now been made laborious.

"The Company seldom appeals the initial decision of the Board because the film is reviewed by members of the same Board and the chance of a rating being amended is very slim," the report reads, adding that "recourse to the Administrative Review Tribunal is not practical... since this is too lengthy a procedure and time is of the essence in this business".

KRS also complained that films have been given a higher rating in Malta than in other countries, resulting in local cinema profits to suffer. According to the report, "in 2010, over 28% of the films released locally were given a higher rating than in the UK".

In line with the Ombudsman's assessment, KRS has called on government to issue the proposed guidelines to the draft law related to the new Film and Stage Guidelines.