Harry Potter author JK Rowling and actor Eddie Redmayne spoke about children's charity Lumos at a fundraising preview of the latest Potter-world film

Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne discussed the work of Rowling’s charity Lumos at an special preview of the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Sitting across from each other on stage at New York’s Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed writer and the star of the soon-to-be released Potter-world film, talked at length about the work of Lumos in helping the 8 million children around the world who live in orphanages and institutions return to their families.

It is just not what nature intended for children to be herded together and not given individual love and care - JK Rowling

“We know that children who are raised in institutions suffer developmental delays, that they tend to be physically stunted, they normally have psychological trauma – it is just not what nature intended for children to be herded together and not given individual love and care,” said Rowling.

“This is an entirely solvable issue. Lumos’ ambition – and we believe it’s achievable - is that by 2050, we will have ended institutionalization globally.”

She concluded: “The last thing I would say, particularly to young people in the audience today – I would reiterate that we need to change minds… do a little bit of research, and make sure you are supporting families to stay together.”

Watch part of the conversation between JK Rowling and Eddie Redmayne below.

The two artists went on to talk about the new film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film, which sees Redmayne play Newt Scamander, has been specially written as a screenplay by Rowling and is inspired by a school textbook that Harry Potter and his friends study at Hogwarts.

They were joined on stage by director David Yates and cast members Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol, before introducing the film to the nearly 3,000 guests at Carnegie Hall.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is on general release in cinemas around the world from 18 November.

New York's Carnegie Hall special advance screening of the film saw box office ticket sales and proceeds from an online sweepstakes going directly to support Lumos’ work as part of We Are Lumos Worldwide, a global campaign to raise awareness and urge people to get involved with the non-profit organization’s work to bring the 8 million hidden children in orphanages around the world to light, and get them home to families.