Sweeping Dreams, a student documentary about housekeepers Milca, Mered and Rosa trying to making a living in Los Angeles, took top honors at the inaugural USC School of Social Work Film Festival.

The film, produced by Amber Denbleyker, Amy Lappen and Josey Mangahis, was one of seven movies created as part of the "Media in Social Work: Documentary Filmmaking as a Praxis for Social Justice" class taught by Rafael Angulo. Through production techniques on composition, lighting, sound and editing, in addition to strategies for changing audience attitudes and behavior, aspiring filmmakers learn how to utilize a universal medium for social justice and advocacy.

"The production value of all documentaries in the competition was exceptionally high. The topics varied from human trafficking, motel families, date rape, homelessness and the struggles of domestic housecleaners," Angulo said. "The fact that the audience was deeply moved by all the stories indicates the power these documentaries can have with larger audiences to change perceptions regarding specific social issues."

Special guest judges included Paolo Davanzo, executive director and co-founder of the Echo Park Film Center; Nate Thomas, professor, California State University, Northridge Department of Cinema and Television Arts and director of the award-winning feature-length film East of Hope Street and Carol Gehring, a documentary and experimental filmmaker.