Some of Jamaica's major eco-tourism resorts and attractions will be showcased to the world when the feature film, A Dance For Grace, hits the big screen in the next few months.

Tower Isle Productions of New York has just completed two weeks of shooting for the film in Jamaica, utilising an array of locales that underline the island's commitment to preserving wildlife and the environment while catering to the varying tastes of the tourism market.

The Black River Safari, Boone Hall Estate, Dolphin Cove and Mystic Mountain were among the attractions that opened their doors to the filmmakers, who said they are elated with the footage and the value that the authentic Jamaican locations will add to the final product.

"The shoot here in Jamaica has, to put it mildly, been just phenomenal," said local production manager for the film, Joan Edwards. "We have seen the results on film and they are amazing. Every minute of this shoot - even the challenging ones - was a pleasure."

Jamaican-born screenwriter and director Junior Powell said bringing his vision for the film alive in the land of his birth while showcasing the eco-tourism aspect of the island was a dream come true.

"The idea has always been that we at Tower Isle wanted to promote and highlight some of the rich eco-tourism offerings that exist here in Jamaica and that are so often overlooked," said Powell. "We feel that we should really be promoting these eco-friendly attractions to expand our tourism offering. When people see these places on film for the first time in our movie, I promise you , the impact will be massive."

Co-producer and lead actor for the film, Orville Matherson, said the experience of filming in these locations was inspiring and educational.

Never cut trees

"We explored 100 acres of Mystic Mountain in all its glory," Matherson said.

Matherson also learned that the trees at Mystic Mountain are never cut.

The cast and crew - most of whom had never visited Jamaica before - were equally dazzled by the award-winning Black River Safari tour, where the crocodiles preserved in their natural habitat were seen "up close and personal" by the actors.

In A Dance For Grace, Matherson plays a dance tutor named Rick Myers, who brings a group of mostly white student dancers from a small US town to Jamaica, to help them prepare for a dance competition in which they will perform a dancehall routine.

While in Jamaica the dancers get familiar with local dancehall culture and explore many aspects of Jamaica - with hilarious and touching results.

The film is slated for release later this year.