We had two very special visitors to the studio today - Roma and Diana, both aged 11, all the way from Hortolova Orphanage in Russia!

Damien O'Connor, director on short animated film ANYA, being made in collaboration with charity organisation To Russia With Love, showed the pair around the studio and introduced them to various Brown Baggers including those who are working on the short.

The pair were also shown some work from ANYA, including some footage, shot when Damien visited the orphanage in May, of the children from the orphanage running down a corridor, that was used as reference for a scene in the short film, and the resulting animated footage.

Founded in 1998 To Russia With Love has transformed the lives of thousands of abandoned and orphaned Russian children. The charity now offer programmes of care in orphanages across Russia, providing children with improved living conditions, healthcare and education.

To Russia With Love approached BBF director Damien O'Connor earlier this year to help promote awareness for the charity, which resulted in the collaboration on the short animated film ANYA.

To find out more about the charity organisation To Russia With Love visit torussiawithlove.ie