A new documentary chronicling the history, passion and global community behind the world’s premier Beatles festival arrives on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on August 18, 2026
Liverpool, UK — August 2026 — International Beatleweek Festival, organised by Cavern City Tours, is delighted to celebrate the forthcoming release of Real Love: The Story of International Beatleweek, a new feature documentary from Liverpool West Productions that tells the remarkable story of the world’s largest and longest-running Beatles festival.
Directed by Simon Weitzman, Real Love: The Story of International Beatleweek will be released worldwide on DVD, Blu-ray and digital rent/buy platforms on 18 August 2026, with DVD and Blu-ray editions available to pre-order now.
The documentary explores the origins, evolution and enduring appeal of Liverpool’s International Beatleweek Festival, which attracts thousands of Beatles fans, music lovers and musicians from around the globe each year. Through exclusive behind-the-scenes access, archival footage and interviews with key figures, Real Love captures the unique spirit of a festival that has become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s cultural identity and an annual pilgrimage for Beatles enthusiasts worldwide.
Produced by Liverpool West Productions, a label dedicated to music, culture, travel and documentary storytelling, the film examines how International Beatleweek developed from grassroots Beatles gatherings in the late 1970s into the internationally renowned event it is today. Following John Lennon’s tragic death in 1980, Liverpool increasingly became a focal point for fans seeking to celebrate and connect with The Beatles’ legacy, helping shape the festival into the global phenomenon it has become.
The film follows the staging of the 2024 festival and showcases the dedication, planning and passion required to bring International Beatleweek to life each August. It also highlights the resilience of the festival community during the Covid-19 pandemic and the determination of organisers, artists and fans to preserve the connections and camaraderie that define the event.
Featuring interviews with Julia Baird, sister of John Lennon; Bill Heckle and Dave Jones, owners of The Cavern Club and Cavern City Tours; Jon Keats, Senior Director of Cavern City Tours; and members of the International Beatleweek team, Real Love offers an unprecedented look at the people behind the festival and the shared devotion that keeps The Beatles’ music alive for new generations.
The documentary also shines a spotlight on the musicians who form the heartbeat of International Beatleweek, from long-standing festival favourites to performers travelling from every corner of the world to celebrate the songs and spirit of The Beatles with audiences in Liverpool.
As part of International Beatleweek 2026, which runs from 26 August to 1 September, Real Love: The Story of International Beatleweek will receive a screening the annual Beatles Convention on Sunday 30th 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.”
A Landmark Year for International Beatleweek
The release of Real Love comes during a milestone year for the festival, marking 40 years since Cavern City Tours took over the organisation and development of International Beatleweek, helping transform it into the globally recognised celebration it is today.
This year’s festival programme features a host of special events across Liverpool and the wider city region. Highlights include performances at Liverpool’s prestigious Philharmonic Hall, with the acclaimed theatrical production Across The Universe and the return of festival favourites Nube 9, Apple Jam, Gleison Tulio and Clube Big Beatles, bringing their distinctive Latin American and international interpretations of The Beatles’ catalogue to audiences in the city where it all began.
The festival will also return to the historic village of Port Sunlight on the Wirral, where a special day-long music takeover will see outdoor stages filled with live Beatles music, welcoming both festival guests and local music fans alike.
Beyond the headline events, International Beatleweek will once again fill Liverpool with hundreds of live performances, special guest appearances, fan gatherings and unique Beatles experiences, reaffirming its status as the world’s leading Beatles festival.
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