Ouarzazate began as a small trading stop for African merchants heading north. In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-'Abaas Ahmed al-Warzazi, a local leader and father of Lalla Masuda, helped bring the Sous-Dra'a region under Saadi rule. The city once had a thriving Jewish community, with around 170 residents in the Mellah by 1954. The nearly 300-year-old Old Synagogue still stands, alongside a now-unused Jewish cemetery. During French colonial rule, Ouarzazate developed into a key military and administrative hub. The Kasbah Taourirt, former residence of caïd T'hami El Glaoui, remains a major attraction, along with a church built in 1931. Ouarzazate featured on the 2006–2007 Dakar Rally route and hosts a large solar power plant, connected to the national grid in 2016. On November 1, 2023, it earned the prestigious UNESCO Creative City designation.

Just 5 km west of Ouarzazate, Atlas Studios is nestled between stunning desert and mountain scenery. Famous for its vast film sets still standing on location, the studio is a top destination for guided tours and visitors. Established in 1983 by entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi, Atlas Studios has thrived thanks to the region’s consistent climate and unique landscapes, which make it ideal for shooting a wide range of movies and TV productions.

Moroccan cinema, featuring films in Arabic and Tamazight, dates back to a 1897 Louis Lumière production. The modern era began with Wechma (1970) by Hamid Bénani, widely recognized as the country’s first landmark film. Early Moroccan movies often mirrored Egyptian melodramas before filmmakers found their unique storytelling voice. In 1982, Farida Bourquia broke ground as Morocco’s first female director. The Marrakech International Film Festival launched in 2001 to promote local cinema. Amazigh films gained momentum in the mid-2000s with support from the CCM. Since 2020, Moroccan cinema has experienced vibrant growth. In 2022, it released its first animated features. By 2023, booming production and over 1.1 billion dirhams in foreign investment propelled the industry—though Hollywood titles continue to lead the box office.