The rules as I understand them:
“What do we judge the contestants on?
Uniqueness/Innovativeness of the build: Is it a one of a kind? Different? Using New methods?
Skill level of the finished build: Does it look like a hack job? Or were the finished parts/assemblies done with skill and care?
Thoroughness of the build thread: Did the builder do a good job of showing and explaining to the forum, how he did the steps in the build?
NEW Documenting also the failures & obstacles: How did the builder solve the inevitable problems? Documenting the obstacles and using the power of the BLF community to solve them is seen as a big plus!
Following the guidelines: Did the builder follow the rules and guidelines written in the contest thread?”
My votes
“Hand Made”
• FmC: FmC's Hand Made DIY 2015 comp entry; "WW2 Searchlight". Finished!
FmC nailed the measurables, plus his creativity and presentation aka (fun take) on the whole proccess was/is priceless. (and I think also indirectly taken into consideration)
“Machine Made”
• kralyevski: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/35614
Did I see “home made CNC milling machine” correctly? we may be in the midst of a savant or prodigy 
And talk about level of finish, the work on the lathe is a given, but the millwork, and then the glass work and lets not forget the wonderful anodizing job. I see the level of Fit and finish as unmatched.
To me we have a clear winner.
02 lumens
P.S.
As an ending note,
I wonder if we should put an upper limit on the budget for the (parts/materials portion) of contest lights in the future? I would not want to create an incentive to favor bigger and more complicated lights, being voted as “better” thus possibly turning the contest into an arms race. Plus we do have the “B” in BLF explicitly noted as part of our raison d’etre.
Please note that it is a “light” contest not a “documentation” contest, I think we should give non native english speakers some leeway/allowance on verbage. The progress was clearly shown and there there is no doubt about authenticity.
Lets make this the world championships not just the national championships
Thoughts?