Water pump not working as expected
Is that filter housing rated for vacuum?
One possibility is the vacuum is causing cavitation at the pump or a slight air leak at the housing that’s why I asked if the filter housing is rated for vacuum. 
Having a restriction (filter) on the inlet will reduce the pumps ability to work correctly.  for example having to prime all that, just a little air and the pump cannot pull though the filter, if it’s having issues with a clean filter it will be impossible with a dirty one. 

I would be locating the pump prior to the filter. Having a screen is fine but the sediment filter will make it much more problematic if you can ever get it to work.