The gesture will help you build loyalty, a priceless commodity on set. This is accomplished in part by feeding everyone well. But not just at meal time. You'll be surprised at how effective this is. Massage students will often work for the practice and the potential business.
Festivals are by and large run by emperors with no clothes.
Many are a waste of your time and money. Choose wisely, expect nothing, and whe accepted, hope only for a better time than you'd have had at the dentist. I'm completely convinced that most independent moviemakers don't like themselves. No one who doesn't have deep-seated masochistic tendencies would knowingly take on the madness of making an independent movie. That said, I cannot wait to make my next one.