Of these, Akram Khan Dance Company (London), Salia nï Seydou (Burkina Faso), and Quasar Companhia de Danca (Brazil) all made their northern California debuts.

However, as pandemic restrictions stretched into years, it became clear that the Fort Mason Center had suffered severe financial losses and would no longer be able to partner with SFIAF.

The headline concert 'Down by the Riverside: Requiem for a King,' a composition by Anthony Brown with spoken word by Angela Davis saw its world-premier on May 26 in Fort Mason's Cowell Theater.

[7] Themed The Path to Democracy, the festival presented a number of productions that directly or indirectly engaged with political activism, such as Théatre de la Feuille's (Hong Kong) new adaptation of 'The Orphan of Zhao' or Spitfire Company's (Czech Republic) 'Antiwords', inspired by the late Václav Havel's play 'Audience'.

These productions include: 2005-7 “A Long Way Home: Concertizing the Golden Triangle” composed and arranged by Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir with Black Voices (UK).

2021-22 "Religion Kitendi: Dress Code" directed and choreographed by Chanel “Byb” Bibene with original music by Manolo Davila for Kiandanda Dance Theater.