Atlas Film Studios

Atlas Film Studios has earned Ouarzazate its nickname as the "Hollywood of Africa" - a sprawling complex where many of cinema's most epic productions have come to life. Since its founding in 1983, the studio has hosted over 200 major films and television series, its versatile facilities and Morocco's dramatic landscapes providing backdrops for stories set everywhere from ancient Egypt to the fictional continents of Westeros.

The studio tour reveals an astonishing collection of sets, many preserved from major productions. Walk through the Egyptian temple built for Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, explore the Roman arena from Gladiator, and stand in the throne rooms of Kingdom of Heaven. Game of Thrones fans recognize locations from multiple seasons, including sets representing Yunkai and other Essos cities.

The appeal extends beyond the sets themselves. Morocco offers filmmakers 330 days of annual sunshine, dramatic varied landscapes within short distances, competitive costs, and a government film commission eager to facilitate productions. The skilled local workforce has developed expertise in everything from set construction to period costume creation.

Visitors can explore the outdoor backlots independently or take guided tours that explain the filmmaking process and share production anecdotes. The studio remains active, so you might glimpse current productions in progress, adding a touch of real Hollywood magic to the experience.

Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis established Atlas Studios in 1983 while filming The Jewel of the Nile, recognizing Morocco's potential as a filmmaking destination. The initial facility has expanded dramatically as successive productions added permanent sets and infrastructure.

Morocco's film history actually predates the studio significantly. Orson Welles filmed Othello in Essaouira in 1952, and Lawrence of Arabia used Moroccan locations in 1962. The country's diverse landscapes - desert, mountains, medinas, kasbahs, and coast - can double for settings across the Middle East, biblical lands, and fantasy worlds.

Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) brought unprecedented scale to Moroccan productions, with thousands of local extras and massive set construction. The film's success encouraged other epic productions, cementing Morocco's reputation as a reliable location for period spectacles.

Game of Thrones filmed extensively across Morocco from 2013 onwards, using Atlas Studios for interior scenes while shooting exteriors at Ait Benhaddou and other locations. The series brought renewed international attention to Moroccan filming capabilities and inspired themed tourism.