The Hong Kong motion picture rating system () is a legal system of movie screening and rating. An official government agency issues ratings for any movie that will be shown in Hong Kong cinemas. History At the beginning of the film industry in Hong Kong, when the viewing of movies had no age restrictions, films were made under strict guidelines. For instance, movie characters were not allowed to get away with crimes, and sex scenes were not permitted. In 1986, with the release of John Woo's violent gangster movie A Better Tomorrow (later rated IIB), the general public became concerned about the influence films had on children. As a result, the Hong Kong motion picture rating system was established under the Movie Screening Ordinance Cap.392 on 10 November 1988. The purpose behind the law was to provide parents of minors a chance to prevent their children from being exposed to inappropriate materials, as well as to allow people to watch movies with content aimed towards adults. The ratings were previously issued by the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA), and initially provided three levels of ratings, which led the slang term "three-tier ratings" () to popular usage. In 1995, the ratings were amended, creating three levels of main ratings, and two sub-ratings for one level. The HKSAR government revisioned on 11 June 2021, the Film Censorship Ordinance guidelines for censors. The guidelines stipulate that if the content of a film to be shown violates the Hong Kong national security law, the censor shall conclude that the film is not suitable for exhibition. Legal requirements According to the laws of Hong Kong, any movies that are intended to be shown in Hong Kong cinemas or released to the public via any videotape or disc formats must be screened by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration. The Office will then permit the movie to be released under their assessed level rating. Movie trailers intended to be shown inside the cinema hall or in cinema lobbies must also be submitted for classification. Only still films exhibited for non-commercial purposes (cultural, educational, instructional, promotional or religious) are exempt. If a movie is rated as a Third Level film (), its promotional materials must also be screened by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration. In addition, any videotape or discs that will be sold must be sealed by plastic bagging before