Ouarzazate began as a small stop for African traders travelling north. In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-‘Abaas Ahmed al-Warzazi—local emir and father of Lalla Masuda—played a key role in bringing the Sous-Dra’a region under Saadi rule. By the mid-20th century, the city was home to a thriving Jewish community, with around 170 residents in the Mellah in 1954. The Old Synagogue, nearly 300 years old, still stands today, along with a now-abandoned Jewish cemetery. Under French colonial rule, Ouarzazate grew into an important military and administrative centre. Key landmarks include the 1931 church and Kasbah Taourirt, once home to caïd T’hami El Glaoui. In modern times, Ouarzazate has gained international recognition: it was part of the 2006–2007 Dakar Rally route and became home to the Noor solar power plant, connected to the grid in 2016. On November 1, 2023, the city was named a UNESCO Creative City, honouring its rising cultural and artistic influence.

Atlas Studios, situated approximately 5 km west of Ouarzazate, is surrounded by striking desert and mountain scenery. Numerous film sets are still in place, making it a favoured destination for guided tours and tourists. Established in 1983 by entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi, the studio has flourished due to the area's consistently stable climate and its capacity to mimic a wide range of natural landscapes for film productions.

Moroccan cinema includes Arabic and Tamazight films, with roots going back to an 1897 film by Louis Lumière. Modern Moroccan cinema began with Wechma (1970) by Hamid Bénani, seen as the country’s first major film. Early works often echoed Egyptian melodramas until local filmmakers found their own voice. In 1982, Farida Bourquia became Morocco’s first female director. The Marrakech International Film Festival, launched in 2001, helped support the industry. Amazigh cinema gained momentum in the mid-2000s with CCM support. Since 2020, Moroccan cinema has entered a dynamic phase. In 2022, it produced its first animated films. By 2023, production hit record highs, with over 1.1 billion dirhams in foreign investment—though Hollywood films still lead the box office.