Hunger Games is cut to gain 12A certificate The British Board of Film Classification has specified that the new blockbuster teen movie The Hunger Games must be cut in order to gain a 12A film certificate in the UK. Seven seconds of the film has been cut by its distributor in accordance with the BBFC. Blood and gore splashes have also been digitally removed. Set in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic American society, the film follows Katniss Everdeen, played by Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence, as she must fight to the death against opponents for a live TV show. The BBFC said that Lionsgate, the film's distributor "chose to make cuts in order to achieve a 12A classification." The BBFC report also said: "an uncut 15 classification was available. These cuts were made in addition to reductions already made following an earlier 'advice' viewing of an incomplete version. The Hunger Games is set to be the next huge teen franchise of films, comparable to the Twilight films. The target audience is teenagers, so a 15 certificate could have affected box office ratings. Last night saw the film's worldwide premiere in Los Angeles. The American film certificate is PG -13 for "intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens." The film opens in the UK on March 23.