Film rating in Vietnam under the Law on Cinematography 2022

Film rating in Vietnam under the Law on Cinematography 2022 (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. What is film rating?

According to Clause 9, Article 3 of the Law on Cinematography 2022, film rating means the appraisal of film content, classification of films for appropriate dissemination according to viewers’ age, or prohibition against dissemination.

2. Film rating in Vietnam under the Law on Cinematography 2022

Film rating according to Article 32 of the Law on Cinematography 2022 is as follows:

- Films are rated according to their contents for appropriate dissemination according to viewers’ age or prohibition against dissemination as follows:

+ P rated: Films eligible for dissemination to viewers of all ages;

+ T18 rated (18+): Films eligible for dissemination to viewers from 18 years old or older;

+ T16 rated (16+): Films eligible for dissemination to viewers from 16 years old or older;

+ T13 rated (13+): Films eligible for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older;

+ K rated: Films eligible for dissemination to viewers under 13 years old, provided that they are with their parents or guardians;

+ C rated: Films prohibited from disseminating.

- The criteria for film rating apply to all of the forms of film dissemination stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam.

3. Regulations on Film Appraisal and Rating Board in Vietnam

Regulations on the Film Appraisal and Rating Board according to Article 31 of the Law on Cinematography 2022 are as follows:

- The competence in establishing Film Appraisal and Rating Boards is as follows:

+ The Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam shall establish the Film Appraisal and Rating Board of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam;

+ Chairmen of People’s Committees of provinces shall establish Film Appraisal and Rating Board of such provinces or centrally affiliated cities;

+ Heads of press agencies with licenses to operate in the field of television shall establish Film Appraisal and Rating Boards of such press agencies.

- The Film Appraisal and Rating Board shall provide advisory services for competent state agencies before they issue Film Rating Licenses or Broadcast Decisions. The Appraisal and Rating Board composition includes cinematographic specialists, experts, and managers of relevant fields and shall ensure gender equality.

4. Regulations on issuance of Film Rating Licenses in Vietnam

Regulations on issuance of Film Rating Licenses according to Article 27 of the Law on Cinematography 2022 are as follows:

- Regulations on competency in issuing Film Rating Licenses:

+ The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam shall issue Film Rating Licenses for the dissemination of films in cinemas; at public screening venues; on the internet for cases prescribed in Point b Clause 2 Article 21 of the Law on Cinematography 2022; at diplomatic missions and foreign facilities of culture established in Vietnam as prescribed in Article 24 of the Law on Cinematography 2022;

+ People’s Committees of provinces may issue Film Rating Licenses if they satisfy the requirements promulgated by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam.

- Film Rating Licenses issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam and People’s Committees of provinces are valid nationwide.

+ Applications for the issuance of Film Rating Licenses include:

+ A written request for the issuance of the Film Rating License according to the form stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam;

+ A copy of the document proving the legal ownership or rights to use the film;

+ The completed film;

+ The Vietnamese-dub version of the film for foreign films.

- Procedures for the issuance of Film Rating Licenses:

+ Organizations and individuals shall submit a dossier of applications via the National Public Service Portal, by post, or directly to the competent state agency prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Cinematography 2022;

+ Within 15 days after receiving the valid applications, competent state agencies shall issue Film Rating Licenses according to the form stipulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam; in case of refusal, notify and provide written explanations.

In case the film is subject to content adjustment or the application is subject to amendments or supplements of information at the request of competent state agencies prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Cinematography 2022, within 15 days after receiving the adjusted film or 10 days after receiving the amended and supplemented application, competent state agencies shall issue the License.

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