4
The Sub-Committee received report ES/0039 by the Senior Licensing Officer. The report was presented by the Senior Licensing Officer and sought determination of the appropriate certification of several short films to be shown at the Latitude Festival during the period 18 to 21 July 2019.
The Legal and Licensing Services Manager referred the Sub-Committee to the report which, at the time of publication, had stated that the premises licence holder, Festival Republic Ltd., had indicated there would be a blanket classification for the Festival's Music and Arts Arena of 15. The exception being that the event would include short periods when the Arena would be allocated to family viewing when only U classified films would be shown. However, subsequent to the report's publication, Festival Republic Ltd. had submitted a list of the films to be classified and this contained four films which were recommended for a 18 classification. The Senior Licensing Officer added that Festival Republic Ltd. had confirmed it would manage entry to the Arena by:
"1. SIA door staff on door to not allow under 18s and pre-warning any customers entering the tent earlier in the day.
2. Stewards on the door with lollipop sticks saying ‘Over 18s only’.
3. We would show classification the screen and also have the Stage Manager do a PA announcement before starting.
4. Stewards would do a sweep inside the tent before showing to ask for proof of age for anyone appearing to be under 18."
The Sub-Committee was referred to the mandatory conditions attached to cinema proprietors licensed by the Council to comply with the admission criteria awarded by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). These admission criteria were to be applied to the films presented for appropriate classification for the Latitude Festival.
The Sub-Committee adjourned at 11.26am to deliberate. The Sub-Committee reconvened at 11.41am.
Having attended a viewing of three films, as submitted by the premises licence holder, Festival Republic Ltd., the Sub-Committee unanimously determined the appropriate admission criteria as detailed below.
RESOLVED
1. That the following films be confirmed for classification as a rating of 15
- Diva
- Right Place, Wrong Tim
- Romantic Comedy
2. That the control measures and conditions proposed by Festival Republic Ltd for those films classified as 18 be supported. In addition, the Sub-Committee wished the wording of the control measures to be enhanced to ensure they were enforceable and also asked that Officers seek additional clarity on the use of "lollipop sticks" to ensure their suitability for purpose. The revised wording of the control measures to be:
1. SIA door staff to be positioned at the entrance to the tent and to not allow entry to anyone aged under 18 years of age. SIA door staff to issue a pre-warning to all customers upon entering the tent earlier in the day.
2. Stewards on the door with large signs ( in the style of "lollipop sticks" used by crossing attendants) which clearly stated ‘Over 18s only’.
3. Festival Republic Ltd to ensure the classification of the up-coming film be shown on screen and also to ensure the Stage Manager made a PA announcement regarding the classification, before the film was shown.
4. Prior to the start of the film, and during the film if there were late entrants, Stewards to proactively ask for proof of age for anyone appearing to be under 18 years of age.