Norwegian-Pakistani film-maker Iram Haq’s What Will People Say has been selected as Norwegian entry for the best foreign language film at the 91st Academy Awards.

The film-maker says telling a compelling story is more important for her than winning an award because she does not believe in competition when it comes to art.

Haq, whose film stars Indian actors Adil Hussain, Ekavali Khanna and Rohit Sarafi said, “When I started making the film, the most important thing for me was to tell a story in an utmost honest manner. And as an individual, I strongly believe that art is never a competition.”

“Of course, it is a big honour for me that my film has been chosen but I want to say that it is not possible to compete in art. Reaching out to people with a story is important,” added Haq, whose earlier film ‘I am Yours’ was also selected as the official Norwegian Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film.