A new feature-length documentary telling the story of Liverpool’s International Beatleweek Festival is set to be released worldwide this August.
Real Love: The Story of International Beatleweek explores the origins, evolution and enduring appeal of the annual celebration, which has grown to become one of the world’s biggest and longest-running Beatles festivals.
Directed by Simon Weitzman and produced by Liverpool West Productions, the documentary will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital rent and buy platforms on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
The film charts International Beatleweek’s journey from grassroots Beatles gatherings in the late 1970s to an internationally recognised festival attracting thousands of musicians and fans to Liverpool each year.
Following John Lennon’s death in 1980, Liverpool increasingly became a destination for Beatles fans wanting to connect with the band’s story and celebrate their music, helping lay the foundations for the festival as it is known today.
Using behind-the-scenes access, archive footage and interviews with those closely involved with the event, Real Lovefollows the staging of International Beatleweek in 2024 and reveals the work that goes into bringing the festival to life each August.
It also looks at how the International Beatleweek community maintained its connections during the Covid-19 pandemic and the efforts of organisers, musicians and fans to ensure the event continued.
Among those appearing in the documentary are Julia Baird, sister of John Lennon; Cavern Club and Cavern City Tours owners Bill Heckle and Dave Jones; Cavern City Tours Senior Director Jon Keats; and members of the wider International Beatleweek team.
Musicians are also at the heart of the film, with performers travelling from across the world each year to Liverpool to perform The Beatles’ catalogue and celebrate the band’s legacy.
The documentary arrives during a landmark year for International Beatleweek, marking 40 years since Cavern City Tours took over the organisation and development of the festival.
As part of International Beatleweek 2026, which takes place from 26 August to 1 September, Real Love will receive a special premiere screening at an invite-only red carpet event.
Festival-goers will then have an opportunity to see the film at the annual Beatles Convention on Sunday 30 August.
Commenting on the film, director Simon Weitzman said:
“Real Love is a celebration of the fans, musicians, organisers and the city that have kept The Beatles’ legacy alive in such a meaningful way. International Beatleweek is more than a festival. It is a living, breathing tribute to the enduring power of this music and the community it continues to inspire.”
Bill Heckle and Dave Jones, owners of The Cavern Club and Cavern City Tours, added:
“For four decades, International Beatleweek has brought together people from all over the world through a shared love of The Beatles and Liverpool. We are honoured that Real Love captures not only the history of the festival, but also the friendships, memories and sense of community that make it so special. We look forward to sharing this film with fans during Beatleweek and far beyond.”
This year’s International Beatleweek programme will once again bring hundreds of live performances and Beatles-themed events to venues across Liverpool and the wider city region.
Highlights include performances at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall featuring theatrical production Across The Universe, alongside returning festival favourites Nube 9, Apple Jam, Gleison Tulio and Clube Big Beatles.
International Beatleweek will also head across the Mersey to Port Sunlight, where a day-long takeover will feature outdoor stages and live Beatles music.
Organisers say ticket packages and passes for the 2026 festival are approaching capacity, with limited availability remaining.
Real Love: The Story of International Beatleweek will be released worldwide on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms on 18 August 2026, with physical editions available to pre-order now.
Tickets, packages and further information about International Beatleweek are available from the website.
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