dcninja-
Here is an example of how I use filters that you can use for a reference. This example has a lot of overkill but it's a good illustration on how to do apply different types of filters.
list MAME
layout RetroPie
romlist mame
global_filter
rule CloneOf not_equals .*
rule Title not_contains bootleg|Trivia|Quiz|Mahjong|Poker|Adult|Casino|Fruit
rule Manufacturer not_equals Trivia|Quiz|Mahjong|Poker|Adult|Casino|Fruit
rule Year not_contains ?
filter All
filter Favourites
rule Favourite equals 1
filter Clean
rule Manufacturer not_contains Seta Kikaku, Ltd|Nichibutsu|Aristocrat|Dynax|Ainsworth|Amcoe
rule Title not_contains GeGeGe
filter Capcom
rule Manufacturer contains Capcom
filter Midway
rule Manufacturer contains Midway
filter Sega
rule Manufacturer contains Sega
filter SNK
rule Manufacturer contains SNK
filter Taito
rule Manufacturer contains Taito
filter Konami
rule Manufacturer contains Konami
filter Namco
rule Manufacturer contains Namco
filter "Data East"
rule Manufacturer contains Data East
filter Tecmo
rule Manufacturer contains Tecmo
filter Shooter
rule Category contains Shooter
filter Fighter
rule Category contains Driving
filter Driving
rule Category contains Driving
filter Sports
rule Category contains Sports
filter "Favourite Games"
rule Favourite equals 1