Agenda item

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory advises Members of an application for the certification of films to be shown within the Cinema Tent at Leeds Festival, Bramham Park, Thorner Lane, Leeds, LS23. The exhibition of these films will take place between Thursday 24th and Monday 28th August 2023.

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory advised Members of an application for the certification of films to be shown within the Cinema Tent at Leeds Festival, Bramham Park, Thorner Lane, Leeds, LS23. The exhibition of these films is to take place between Thursday 24th and Monday 28th August 2023.

The applicant Marvin Belle on behalf of Film Oxford was available via a phone link for questions from Members of the Licensing Sub Committee.

Members had been provided with a link to a copy of the current BBFC Classification Guidelines.

The Licensing Officer provided the Sub-Committee with the following information:

·  The application had been received from Film Oxford, on behalf of Festival Republic, to have a number of short films certified as they are not currently certified by the BBFC. The films are due to be shown in the Cinema Tent of the Leeds Festival site, within the grounds of Bramham Park, Leeds, LS23.

·  A list detailing the films that request certification, including a synopsis and the applicant’s recommended rating, was appended to the submitted report at Appendix A. The original copy of this list had been provided to Members of the Licensing Sub Committee in advance of the hearing with links to view advance screeners.

·  To assist members with their deliberation officers of the Licensing Authority had viewed each available film and provided comments in accordance with BBFC guidelines. The title of the film and a brief description where officers had cause for concern were as follows:

o  Don’t Forget to go Home – Scenes of drug use which are in keeping with the BBFC Classification Guidelines for a 15 certificate, as requested. However, officers wished to bring this to the attention of the Licensing Sub Committee due to previous unfortunate events at the festival and the campaigning against drug use by Festival Republic and relevant partner agencies.

o  Hak Baker, Doolally – Scenes of a character inhaling what appears to be nitrous oxide. Non-legitimate use of nitrous oxide is currently controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and means the production, supply, and importation, but not possession of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects, is illegal.

o  Ecstasy – Content of light drug use well within keeping of a 15 certificate, as requested. However, for the reason outlined above in relation to ‘Don’t Forget to go Home’, officers thought it prudent to bring this to the attention of the Committee.

·  It was noted that Leeds Festival, Bramham Park, do have the benefit of a premises licence authorising the exhibition of films during the following times this year:

o  Thurs 24th August 2023 19:00 until 03:00 the following day

o  Fri 25th to Sun 27th August 2023 12:00 until 06:00 the following day

·  It was noted that at the festival, there would be the benefit of stewards and SIA door staff.

Members discussions included:

·  The location of the films to be shown.

·  They raised concerns in relation to the incidents and fatalities at previous Leeds Festivals and the subject of the films and the recommended rating of a 15 certification.

·  The work which had taken place by relevant agencies and the Festival organiser to address drug abuse.

·  That the presence of stewards was to be allocated to the cinema tent and that proof of age would be required before being permitted into the cinema tent.

RESOLVED – To award the rating of all films in accordance with the rating suggested by the promoter, with the exception of the following 3 films which were to be awarded a certification of 18 rating:

·  Don’t forget to go home.

·  Hak Baker, Doolally.

·  Ecstasy