So what's it like to see all those films?

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC (or the man whose signature is on the black card), tells all to cbbfc...

What was the first film you saw at the cinema?

I remember the first film I didn't go and see. I really wanted to see a Norman Wisdom film because all my friends at school were talking about it. He was a slapstick comedian, kind of a human Tom and Jerry. We couldn't get in and I think we ended up going to see 'Dumbo.' I saw quite a few Disney films in the cinema when I was small. One I do remember as very cool was 'Fantasia' - I like the mixing of music and pictures, and Fantasia certainly does that. I went to see 'Help' and 'A Hard Days Night' with my brother too. When I was little there used to be a kids club called ABC Minors at our local cinema which got quite rowdy – I can remember the kids shouting at the man on stage who used to come and introduce every film.

What have been your favourite children's films of recent years?

I really liked 'Madagascar,' mostly because the King of the Lemurs was such a cool character. I enjoyed 'Robots' and loved the last 'Harry Potter' film. I saw it all by myself in the cinema, which was brilliant. I thought it had ended too soon, as the time went by really quickly, but then realised it had been more than two hours long! Time definitely flies when you're having fun. I've read all the Harry Potter books and am really excited to find out what happens in book seven, the last one. I'm really interested in all the stuff with Voldemort and the spells, especially the Patronus Spell where you have to summon a special creature to take care of you.

So what would you have for your Patronus?

Hmm, I think a big cat. Something like a snow leopard perhaps.

You obviously like fantasy films. Is that your favourite type of film?

I think it is, yes. The first book I read was 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' so it was really good to see the film of that when it came out. I re-read the book at Christmas for the first time since I was a child and it's still magical. I was also brought up on the 'Lord of the Rings' books – my mum used to tell me the stories before I was even able to read, so I enjoyed those films too.

What films are you looking forward to seeing?

The new animated film 'Cars' looks like it will be fun. And 'Shrek 3' should be great. I loved the second one, the one with the cat. He was gorgeous.

What about video games? The BBFC classifies them too, can you play them?

No, I'm rubbish at them. But I have just started to get interested. Look,I have a PS2 in my office now [he does]! I've heard there's a game called 'Guitar Hero' and I'd love to give that a go. There are also two games, 'Ico' and 'Shadow of the Colossus,' that I've heard are great. In fact, I've started playing 'Ico,' but I haven't managed to release Yorda from her cage yet...which tells you something about my games skills! I will improve them though. That's one of the good things about coming to work here – I get to find out about things like that.

So what is a typical day like for you?

Well, every day is different, so there's no such thing as a typical day. I leave home  at about 7.30am, get the train into London and walk to the office, listening to my ipod on the way. I'm usually one of the first ones here, at about 8.10. I might go and see something in our cinema here or catch up with films I haven't seen yet on DVD. Today I had lunch with the chairman of our children's panel, the group that advises us on young people's issues, and tomorrow I'm meeting the Australian Attorney General. Sometimes I have to give an interview to a paper or radio station. Doing stuff like 5 Live is pretty scary, as you have to remember to get everything right because the programme is going out live on air. It's funny but I spend quite a lot of time talking about old films, things that might have been passed 30 years ago. Because it's my name on the black card at the beginning of films, I'm often asked questions about things I haven't seen. I can't see everything, because we pass 17,000 works a year!

So how does it feel having your name on the big screen?

There's a funny story behind the signature actually. The first time I did it, it was sent back to me to do again. It was a bit like writing lines! But it's pretty interesting having my name up there. Everyone I know has seen the black card, which is a strange feeling.

Kids often ask about scary moments or monsters in films. What things make you frightened?

It's quite funny that I said I'd like a big cat as my Patronus, because when I was small I remember being really scared of lions and tigers. I think I read somewhere that they could be man-eaters, so was worried a stray lion might jump out at me.

So would you be scared of Aslan?

Oh no, he's a completely different kind of lion, he wouldn't hurt you. And I'm not scared of snakes either – I can speak parseltongue, you know.