Cinemas introducing digital ID cards for access to '15' and '18' rated films

Cinemas introducing digital ID cards for access to '15' and '18' rated films
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Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 30/05/2022

- 11:48

Updated: 30/05/2022

- 11:49

The UK Cinema Association will start accepting the digital ID app from today

Cinemas in the UK will be introducing new digital ID cards for proof of age into adult rated films.

The UK Cinema Association will start accepting digital ID app confirming the cinema goers age.


The Yoti app has been designed to help crackdown on under age revellers from seeing sexual and violent scenes.

Children aged 13 and above and will help cinemas check the ages of attendees, as required by law.

Manager Katie Markwick prepares screen 1 ahead of the reopening of The Electric Cinema in Birmingham, which was forced to close permanently during the pandemic but is back in use after it was rescued by new owner Kevin Markwick. The 112-year-old art deco cinema, built in a converted taxi rank, began operating in December 1909 and is believed to be the oldest working cinema in the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
British cinema
Jacob King

Phil Clapp, CEO at the UK Cinema Association said: “Of the 165 million to 170 million admissions per year UK cinemas were seeing pre-pandemic, around 30 percent fall within the 15-24 year old bracket (and around 20 per cent within the 9-14 year old age group).

"Since cinemas re-opened last May those proportions are likely to be even higher."

He added: "For many wanting to get into a ‘15’ or even ‘18’ certificate film, proving their age – without a passport or driving licence to hand – can be incredibly difficult and an understandable source of frustration should they be turned away from the cinema.

"This new partnership offers a straightforward and modern way to reduce the likelihood of that happening.”

Kelly Drew, Operations Director at Cineworld also said: “With an increase in recent years in the number of films classified at ‘15’ but with a broader youth appeal, the issue of proving age is becoming increasingly challenging.

"The introduction of the Yoti app as a trusted and robust way of checking ID will support our staff, who are often on the receiving end of any resulting customer frustration.”

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