Techniques for enabling filter-level access to a virtual disk (VMDK) are provided. In one set of embodiments, an application can invoke a first application programming interface (API) for opening the VMDK, the invoking of the first API causing an ordered group of filters associated with the VMDK to be instantiated. The application can further coordinate with a target filter in the ordered group of filters to establish a communication channel with the target filter and can receive, from the target filter, a handle to the target filter via the communication channel. The application can then issue an I/O request to the VMDK via the target filter using the handle, the issuing causing data associated with the I/O request to be filtered by other filters that are downstream from the target filter in the ordered group.