Baby cinema clubs can show 15 and 18-rated films, says council

CHANGES allowing 15 and 18 films to be shown at cinema clubs for parents and babies in York have been approved following calls from mothers, amid fears some screenings could be inappropriate.

Venues running baby cinema clubs will now be able to show 15 and 18 films on a case-by-case basis, following a council decision.

Mothers told a City of York Council hearing the screenings were one of the few activities catering to them as well as their babies but the choice of films was currently limited.

But some councillors said they were concerned about the kind of films that babies could be exposed to and parents would struggle to make an informed choice.

It comes as the proposals were approved by the council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee on Tuesday, October 20.

Cinemas offering the clubs for parents, carers and infants under 12 months were previously restricted to screening films rated U, PG or 12A by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

City Screen, Everyman, Vue and Cineworld all offer baby cinema clubs in York.

Changes in York follow similar moves in Leeds and Chelmsford and allow the controlled entry of infants to 15 and 18-rated films but not the general admission of children.

Child psychologist trauma specialists Beacon House recommended assessing each film individually and taking practical measures to help anyone affected during a screening.

Council officials said they would make its findings available to cinemas to help them decide which films to screen and how to manage showings.

Harriet Sands, a mothers who spoke at Tuesday’s hearing, told councillors other activities such as baby groups catered more to the infant whereas the cinema club offered something for parents.

The mother said: “I was really excited when I heard about baby cinema clubs and I told all my new mum friends about it, finally there was somewhere we could all meet with our prams which is a rarity in York.

“But we soon realised we didn’t want to see any of the films on that were currently on the schedule, it’s somewhere occasionally go to relax and feel more connected to myself but if there were films on I’d actually want to watch I’d go multiple times a week.

“If I was going to the cinema without a baby it would be for me to decide if the film was for me, the implication that bringing a baby renders me incapable of choosing feels misguided.”

But Labour’s Cllr Jason Rose said Beacon House’s opinion had not convinced him the move was a good idea.

He added caregivers may feel pressured to see some films if others were going or be reluctant to leave once a screening starts after paying for a ticket.

The ruling Labour councillor said: “Do I think an independent cinema with five members of staff is capable of making a genuine assessment?

“No, I don’t want to outsource that risk to them.

“There will be some times when there are no appropriate films, it’s Halloween season at the moment, every single 15 and 18 film is probably inappropriate.”

Cllr Ashley Mason, economy spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat opposition, said it would not be in cinemas’ interests to show inappropriate films.

Cllr Mason said: “They’re not going to be putting on bloodthirsty films, Love Actually and Bridget Jones are both 15.

“We can probably guess the kind of films they will want to show, we have to have some confidence in cinemas.”

Conservative group Deputy Leader Cllr Michael Nicholls said the council should help the cinemas when choosing which films to show.

The councillor said: “There could be mistakes made.

“But there’s noise in baby films when the little creatures die, we’ve all seen Bambi.”