A filter element includes a filter material which has an outer surface for accumulating a filter cake thereon and an inner surface. A plurality of supports is provided for supporting the filter element at the inner surface thereof. Adjacent ones of the supports define spaces between themselves. At least portions of the filter material bend inwardly into these spaces between the adjacent supports and relative to the remaining parts of the filter material, under the pressure of a medium to be filtered which is supplied onto the outer surface of the filter material. During backflushing of the filter element these portions bend outwardly of the spaces and the filter cake is thereby dislodged from the outer surface of the filter material.