Book II: Professions and activities

The Minister responsible for culture issues the cinematographic exhibition permit for cinematographic or audiovisual works or documents intended for cinematographic representation, after obtaining the opinion of the commission for the classification of cinematographic works or in the light of the report, endorsed by the chair of this commission, of the classification committee.The Minister responsible for culture may withdraw the cinematographic exhibition permit in the event of non-compliance with the provisions…

The cinematographic exhibition permit is equivalent to authorisation for public performance of the works or documents throughout the territory of mainland France and the local authorities covered byarticle 73 of the French Constitution. Refusal of a cinematographic exhibition permit is equivalent to a ban on the cinematographic representation of the works or documents.

I. – The cinema licence is accompanied by one of the following classification measures: 1° Authorisation of screening for all audiences ; 2° Prohibition on showing to minors under twelve years of age; 3° Prohibition on showing to children under the age of sixteen; 4° Prohibition on performances for minors under eighteen years of age; 5° Prohibition on performance to minors aged eighteen with the work or document included on…

Without prejudice to the classification measure that accompanies its issue, the cinematographic exhibition licence may be accompanied by a warning, intended to inform the viewer, about the content or particularities of the work or document concerned.

The decision by the Minister for Culture to issue a visa with a warning or a specific performance ban, or to refuse the visa, must state the reasons on which it is based.

The cinematographic exhibition licence includes:1° The classification measure that accompanies its issue and, where applicable, the warning that accompanies it;2° The reasons for the licence, when it is accompanied by a specific ban on performance or a warning;3° A reference to the country of origin of the work or document;4° In the case of a co-production, a reference to the countries of the co-producers;5° Where applicable, a reference to dubbing.

The list provided for in article L. 311-2 is established by order of the Minister of Culture published in the Journal officiel de la République française.